How to Add Full Reel on Instagram Story: Top 2 Methods

The differences between Instagram Story and Reel

Instagram Stories and Reels may seem similar, but they serve different purposes. Stories are short, temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours, while Reels are longer, permanent videos designed for long-term visibility.

• Length matters: Stories are limited to 15 seconds per clip, requiring multiple uploads for longer content. Reels, on the other hand, can last up to 90 seconds, allowing for more detailed storytelling.
• Visibility differs: Stories are mainly seen by your followers and appear at the top of their feeds. Reels have broader exposure, appearing in the Explore tab, hashtag searches, and a dedicated Reels section.
• Features vary: Reels offer advanced editing tools like speed control, transitions, and voiceovers. Stories focus on engagement with stickers, polls, and interactive elements.
• Saving options: Stories disappear unless saved to Highlights. Reels stay on your profile and can be saved by others.

Why does adding a full Reel to the Story matter

Sharing an entire Reel to your Story enhances your content's impact by making it more accessible and engaging. Here's why it matters:

• Increased visibility: Sharing a Reel to your Story helps more people see it, especially if your account is public.
• Showcasing creativity: Highlight your best work and keep your content fresh by sharing Reels in your Story.
• Story engagement: Stories encourage reactions, comments, and messages, helping you connect with your audience.
• Expressing personality: Adding Reels to your Story makes your content feel more authentic and relatable.

Method 1: Add Reel to Story using Instagram's built-in feature

Instagram makes it easy to share Reels to your Story using its built-in tools. Whether you want to highlight a moment, engage your audience, or add a creative touch, this method ensures your Reel reaches more people. Follow these steps to share a Reel to your Instagram Story seamlessly.

STEP 1
1. Open Instagram and locate the Reel

To begin, open the Instagram app on your phone. Navigate to the Reels section or find the specific Reel you want to share. You can do this from your feed, the Explore page, or your profile. Below the selected Reel, tap the paper airplane icon.

STEP 2
1. Select "Add to story"

From the list of sharing options, tap "Add to story." This action embeds the Reel directly into a new Story.

Once the Reel is added, Instagram provides several customization tools to make your Story engaging. Pinch or drag the Reel to adjust its size and position. Add captions, stickers, music, or interactive elements.

STEP 3
1. Post your Story

Once satisfied with the customizations, tap the "Your story" button and click on "Share." The Reel will now appear in your Story feed, allowing your followers to view and interact with it.

Method 2: Add Reel to Story using a screen recording option

Note: Before using someone else's Reels, it is necessary to ensure the consent of the original creator and retain the watermark of the original creator in the video.

Recording a Reel using your device's screen recording feature allows you to share the content as a Story. Follow these steps to capture and post a Reel using screen recording.

STEP 1
1. Start screen recording on your device

Before you begin, ensure your device's screen recording feature is enabled. Check the below steps to turn on screen recording function for Android and iOS.

On Android: Open the control center by swiping down on the display to open the Quick Settings and click the Screen Record icon. If it's not visible, add it from the settings.

On iOS: Open up the control center by swiping down from the top (for iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (for iPhone 8 and earlier). Tap the Record button.

STEP 2
1. Record the Instagram Reel

Go to Instagram and open the Reel you want to share. Start the screen recording before playing the video. Make sure the entire Reel plays without interruptions. Once the Reel has entirely played, stop the recording. Your device automatically saves the video to your gallery or Photos app.

STEP 3
1. Post the recorded video as an Instagram Story

Open the Instagram application and tap the "+" icon or swipe in the right direction to access the Story creation interface. Select the recorded video from your gallery. Crop or trim the video if you need to fit Instagram's Story format.

STEP 4
1. Customize and share your Story

Enhance your Story with stickers, text, and music. Once satisfied with the customizations, tap the "Your Story" button and click on Share. The Reel will now appear in your Story feed.

Instagram's built-in editing tools make creating Reels easy, but they have drawbacks. You get limited audio choices, fewer customization options, and basic editing effects. If you want more control over your edits and high-quality visuals, CapCut is the way to go. Let's explore its powerful features to help you create standout Instagram Reels and Stories effortlessly!

Create Reels&Stories in CapCut with ease

CapCut is a feature-riched video editor that makes creating Instagram Reels and Stories effortless. Use its intuitive timeline to cut, trim, and merge clips seamlessly. Add text, filters, and transitions for a polished look. Enhance your Reels or Stories with copyright-free music and sound effects from CapCut's built-in audio library. With precise controls and AI-powered tools, you can create standout content in minutes.

Download CapCut for free and start making eye-catching Reels and Stories today!

Key features

• FReely adjustable video ratio: You can customize the video ratio to fit different platforms, including the 9:16 vertical format for Reels and Stories.
• Visual elements: CapCut provides diverse visual elements like filters, transitions, effects, animations, and stickers to enhance your Reels and Stories.
• Extensive music and sound library: You can access a wide range of music tracks and sound effects to match your Instagram content.

How to create engaging Reels&Stories using CapCut

STEP 1
1. Import media files

First, open CapCut and create a new project. Click "Import" to upload videos, images, or other media from your device or cloud storage. Arrange them on the timeline and set the aspect ratio to 9:16 for Instagram Reels and Stories.

STEP 2
1. Edit your Reel&Story

If making a Reel, keep the video length within 90 seconds. If making a Story, keep it within 15 seconds. Secondly, add effects, text, and stickers to enhance your content. Tap "Audio" to choose background music that fits your Reel/Story theme. Adjust video brightness, contrast, and colors for a polished look.

STEP 3
1. Export the Reel/Story

Once editing is complete, click "Export" and select the best resolution, frame rate, and bit rate for your Instagram Reel or Story. Click again on the "Export" tab to save your Reel on the device locally or share it to Instagram for maximum engagement.

Issues and solutions for posting Reels to Stories

Sharing Instagram Reels to Stories can help boost engagement, but common issues may affect quality and playback. Problems like reduced image resolution, cropped videos, or failed uploads can frustrate creators. Below are key issues and solutions to ensure your Reels post smoothly to Stories.

• Issue 1: Image quality deteriorates after sharing

Blurry or pixelated videos can make your content look unprofessional, reducing audience engagement. This often happens when Instagram compresses the video file.

Solution: Ensure that your original Reel is in high-definition format before sharing. You can use CapCut to enhance video resolution. It allows you to export videos in high resolutions, such as 2K and 4K. This helps maintain clarity when you upload to Story.

• Issue 2: The Reel cannot be fully displayed

If your Reel appears cropped or cut off, the video's dimensions may not match Instagram's Story format (9:16).

Solution: Adjust the video's aspect ratio to fit the Story. CapCut's ratio adjustment tool lets you resize your Reel without distorting content. Select the 9:16 ratio before uploading to ensure the whole video is visible.

• Issue 3: The Reel cannot be played in Story

Sometimes, Reels appear unplayable when shared with Stories. A weak network or temporary Instagram issues can cause this.

Solution: First, check your network connection and ensure it's stable. If the problem persists, try re-sharing the Reel after a few minutes. If needed, exit and reopen the Instagram app before attempting again.

• Issue 4: Unable to share Reel to Story

If you can't share a Reel to your Story, there may be an app glitch or account restriction preventing the action.

Solution: Update the Instagram app to the latest version, as outdated apps may have sharing bugs. Also, check if your account settings allow Reels to be shared with Stories. If the option is missing, switch to a public account or adjust your Story privacy settings.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to add a full Reel to your Instagram Story, you can maximize engagement and reach. Sharing Reels through Stories boosts visibility, encourages interaction, and enhances your content's appeal. For the best Reel or Story results, you can use CapCut to create high-quality content with various features, such as effects, texts, and music tracks. Don't hesitate to take your Instagram content to the next level with professional-looking videos. Download CapCut today and start crafting eye-catching Reels and Stories effortlessly!

FAQs

1
1. What is the best time to post Instagram Reels or Stories?

The best time to post depends on your audience's activity. Generally, peak engagement hours are early morning (7-9 AM), midday (12-2 PM), and evening (6-9 PM). Check Instagram Insights to analyze when most of your followers are active. Experiment at different times and monitor engagement rates to find your optimal posting time. No matter what time period you publish, the quality of your content is paramount, and you can use CapCut to create Reels or Stories to expand your Instagram presence.

2
1. How to guide the audience to watch the complete Reel through Story?

To get viewers to watch your entire Reel, start by sharing a quick, attention-grabbing highlight in your Story. Show the most exciting moment to spark curiosity. Use interactive stickers or polls to keep them engaged. Then, add a clear CTA like "Tap to watch the full video on Reel!" or "Don't miss the best part—watch now!" to direct them to watch the full Reel.

3
1. How to understand Reel's performance in Story?

Check Instagram Insights to track metrics like taps forward, taps back, and exits. A high forward tap rate may indicate that users are skipping content. Compare Story engagement with Reel views to see how well the Story drives traffic. If retention is low, adjust your Story strategy using CapCut to create stronger engagement.