You made a TikTok that actually landed — good hook, solid engagement, a few hundred views. Now you want it on Instagram too, without starting from scratch.
Good news: cross-posting TikTok to Instagram is pretty straightforward once you know the steps. But there are a few things — like watermarks and video formats — that can trip you up if you don’t know about them ahead of time.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to share a TikTok on Instagram as a Reel, a Story, or a feed post, plus how to remove the TikTok watermark so Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t suppress your video.
How to Link Instagram to TikTok
Before you start cross-posting, it helps to link your Instagram account directly inside TikTok. This makes the sharing flow a lot smoother.
Here’s how:
- Open TikTok and tap the Profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap Edit profile in the center of the screen.
- You’ll see an option to add social links to your profile:
- Select Instagram from the list of options.
- Enter your Instagram username and password. Once you’re logged in, both accounts are linked.
Notice TikTok also gives you a spot to add your website? Worth doing that while you’re in there.
If you don’t have a coaching website yet, try Paperbell for free — you can have a professional coaching site up in under an hour.
How to Share a TikTok on Instagram Without the Watermark
This step is worth doing before you post anywhere. Here’s why: Instagram’s algorithm tends to suppress videos that have a visible TikTok watermark. The platform actively deprioritizes content that’s clearly been recycled from a competitor. That means your Reel or post will get less reach — sometimes significantly less.
The fix is simple. You just need to download the video without the watermark before posting it.
Option 1: Download directly from TikTok (no watermark)
On some videos, TikTok lets you download a watermark-free version straight from the app. When you tap the three-dot Share menu, look for a Save video option. If the creator has enabled downloads, you’ll get a clean copy saved to your camera roll.
Option 2: Use CapCut (free)
CapCut is made by the same company as TikTok, and it has a built-in watermark remover. Just paste your TikTok link, let it process, and download the clean version. It’s free and takes about 30 seconds.
Option 3: Use InShot
InShot works for both iOS and Android. You can trim the end card that mentions TikTok, or crop the watermark out of the corner.
Once you have a clean video in your camera roll, you’re ready to post it anywhere — Reels, Stories, or your feed.
How to Post a TikTok to Instagram Reels
Reels are Instagram’s main short-video format, and they get the most algorithmic reach of any post type. If you want your TikTok content to actually be seen on Instagram, posting it as a Reel is the way to go.
Option A: Share directly from TikTok (quickest)
- Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to share.
- Tap the Share button — it looks like three dots below the “Save” button.
- Select Instagram from the options. If you don’t see it right away, tap More.
- Choose Reels when Instagram asks where to post it.
- Add a caption, hashtags (like #lifecoach or #coachingtips), and tweak your cover image if you want. Then hit Share.
Quick note: this method shares the video with the TikTok watermark intact. If reach matters to you, use Option B instead.
Option B: Upload from your camera roll (recommended)
- First, save the TikTok to your phone using one of the watermark-removal methods above.
- Open Instagram and tap the + button, then select Reel.
- Choose the video from your camera roll.
- Add your caption, hashtags, and a cover photo. Hit Share.
This gets you a clean video that Instagram’s algorithm treats the same as any original Reel. Worth the extra 30 seconds.
Getting the format right for Reels
TikTok and Instagram Reels share the same aspect ratio: 9:16 vertical. So most TikToks will look perfect as Reels with no cropping needed.
If your TikTok has text or on-screen captions close to the edges, double-check that nothing gets cut off. Instagram crops a thin strip at the top and bottom when displaying Reels in the feed.
How to Share a TikTok to Instagram Stories or Your Feed
Reels aren’t your only option. Here’s how the other formats work:
Posting to Instagram Stories
Stories disappear after 24 hours, but they’re great for quick reposts or time-sensitive content. The ideal format is the same 9:16 vertical ratio.
- Save your TikTok to your camera roll (watermark-free if possible).
- Open Instagram, swipe right or tap the + button, and select Story.
- Choose the video from your camera roll, add any stickers or text, and tap Your Story to post.
Want it to last longer than 24 hours? After posting, add it to a Highlight on your profile. Highlights stay up indefinitely, which makes them great for evergreen coaching content.
Posting to the Instagram feed (grid)
Feed posts are more permanent — they stay on your profile grid and show up in followers’ feeds. The best aspect ratio for feed posts is 4:5 (portrait) or 1:1 (square). Since TikToks are 9:16, Instagram will either crop the video or add a blur/color background to fill the sides.
- Tap + in Instagram and select Post.
- Choose your video and adjust the crop.
- Write a caption, add hashtags, and share.
For most short-form coaching content, Reels get more reach than feed posts. But if you want something permanently on your grid, feed posts still work fine.
If your TikTok account is set to private, you won’t be able to share videos publicly on Instagram through the in-app share button. In that case, save the video to your camera roll and upload it directly.
The Other Way Around: Can You Repurpose Instagram Content on TikTok?
You can also run this the other direction — reposting your Instagram content on TikTok. Here’s how:
Can you post Instagram reels on TikTok?
Absolutely. You can share your Instagram Reels directly on TikTok. Here’s how:
- Open the Reel in Instagram and tap the three-dot icon at the bottom right corner.
- Tap Manage your Reel, then select Download.
- Open TikTok and tap + at the bottom center of the screen to create a new post.
- Tap Upload at the bottom right of the camera screen, find your saved Reel in your phone’s gallery, and select it.
Just like with TikTok watermarks on Instagram, your downloaded Reel may have an Instagram watermark. You can use InShot (iOS) or Video Editor & Maker – InShot (Android) to remove it before posting to TikTok.
FAQs on How to Share a TikTok on Instagram
Does Instagram penalize TikTok watermarks?
Yes — Instagram’s algorithm deprioritizes videos with visible TikTok watermarks. You won’t get banned or anything like that, but your Reel will reach fewer people than a clean upload would. Removing the watermark before posting is worth the extra step.
Can I share my TikTok videos directly from the app?
Yes. Tap the Share button on any TikTok, select Instagram, and choose Reels, Stories, or Feed. It’s quick, but it does include the TikTok watermark. For better reach, download the video first and upload it manually.
What’s the best format for cross-posting TikTok to Instagram?
For Reels and Stories, keep the 9:16 vertical format — TikToks fit perfectly. For feed posts, a 4:5 or 1:1 ratio works better. And when in doubt, Reels generally get the most reach of any post type on Instagram.
Can I schedule TikTok posts to Instagram?
Not natively through the in-app share feature. But if you save your TikTok to your camera roll, you can use a scheduling tool like Later or Buffer to queue it up as an Instagram Reel or post. Most scheduling platforms support video uploads directly.
I have private videos on TikTok. Can I still share them on Instagram?
Private TikTok videos won’t show up in the in-app share flow. But you can still save them to your camera roll and upload them manually to Instagram — the privacy setting only affects TikTok’s own sharing features.
Is it allowed to share TikTok videos on Instagram?
Yes, as long as it’s your own content or you have permission from the original creator. If you’re sharing someone else’s video, give credit in the caption. Avoid anything copyrighted (like commercial music) that might trigger a takedown.
Keep Creating — Without Burning Out on Admin
Cross-posting your TikTok content to Instagram is a simple way to get more mileage out of the videos you’re already making. You’ve already done the hard part — creating the content. Sharing it takes five minutes.
The best part? The more you show up consistently on social media, the easier it becomes to attract clients who are already warmed up before they ever book a call with you.
And once they’re ready to book? That’s where Paperbell comes in. It handles your scheduling, payments, contracts, and client portal — all in one place, so you’re not juggling a dozen different tools. Try Paperbell for free and see how much easier the business side of coaching can be.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2023 and has since been updated for accuracy.
