How to Post a TikTok Video to Instagram Reels

Got an amazing TikTok video that you know would do numbers on Instagram Reels? You’re in the right place to learn how to make it happen. Repurposing your best content across platforms is one of the smartest ways to expand your reach without doubling your workload. This guide will walk you through exactly how to post a TikTok video to Instagram Reels, covering the best methods for avoiding the dreaded watermark, keeping your video quality high, and making your content feel native to each platform.

Why You Should (Carefully) Repost Your TikToks to Reels

Creating great short-form video takes time and effort. Reposting allows you to get more mileage out of every single piece of content you produce. It’s a simple strategy for reaching two distinct audiences simultaneously, doubling your chances for viral growth and building a consistent brand presence across channels.

However, it’s not as simple as downloading from one app and uploading to the other. Instagram is on record stating that its algorithm may deprioritize visibility for content that is visibly recycled from other apps, especially if it includes a watermark. Your audience is also savvy, they can spot a lazy repost a mile away. The goal isn't just to repost, but to repurpose your content thoughtfully so it feels like it belongs on Instagram, giving it the best possible chance to succeed.

The Golden Rule: Don't Just Repost. Re-optimize.

Before we get into the technical steps, let's talk strategy. The difference between a TikTok that flops on Reels and one that takes off often comes down to optimization. Each platform has its own culture, trends, and best practices. Just because a sound or a joke landed on TikTok doesn't guarantee a smooth transition. Taking a few extra minutes to adapt your content can make a massive difference in performance.

Key Differences to Keep in Mind

While the video format is similar, TikTok and Instagram are different worlds. Here's what to consider before you hit "post" on that Reel:

• Audio is Everything: A song that's trending on TikTok might be old news on Instagram, and vice versa. Instagram's algorithm heavily favors Reels that use audio from its own trending library. Re-using the baked-in TikTok sound is one of the biggest missed opportunities. Always swap it out for a popular sound from the Reels audio browser.
• Caption and SEO: Instagram captions can be much longer and play a bigger role in search. Use your Reel's caption to add context, tell a story, or include keywords that can help people discover your content. TikTok captions are often shorter and more punchy.
• Hashtag Strategy: More is often better on Reels. You can use up to 30 hashtags that are relevant to your niche to improve discoverability. On TikTok, the standard is usually much lower, with many successful videos using only 3-5 focused hashtags.
• Audience Culture: Think about your audience on each platform. An inside joke or reference that resonates with your TikTok community might not land with your Instagram followers. You might need to adjust your text overlays or caption to give Instagram users a little more context.

How to Post a TikTok to Reels: The No-Watermark Method (Recommended)

This is the best-practice approach. Removing the TikTok watermark sends a strong signal to the Instagram algorithm that you're sharing original, high-quality content, giving your Reel the best shot at being featured on the Explore page or in users' feeds. The most reliable way to do this is with a third-party downloading tool.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Copy the TikTok Video Link
Open the TikTok app and navigate to the video you want to repost. Tap the "Share" icon on the right-hand side of the screen (it looks like an arrow). In the menu that appears, tap the "Copy Link" button. The video's URL is now copied to your clipboard.

Step 2: Use a TikTok Downloader Tool
Next, you'll use a website designed to download TikTok videos without the pesky watermark. There are many options out there, but they all work in a similar way. Open your phone's web browser and go to a site like SnapTik or SSSTikTok. (Remember to be careful when using third-party sites and always review their terms of service).

Step 3: Download the Watermark-Free Video
On the downloader website, you'll see a field where you can paste the link. Tap and hold in the box and select "Paste." Your TikTok link will appear. Hit the download button and wait for the site to process your video. It will typically provide you with several download options, choose the one that says something like "Download without watermark." This will save the clean MP4 file directly to your phone's camera roll or downloads folder.

Pro-tip: Some downloader apps or sites will serve you a lot of pop-up ads. Be sure you're tapping the correct download button and not an intrusive advertisement.

Step 4: Open Instagram and Create a New Reel
Now the fun part begins. Open the Instagram app. You can create a new Reel by tapping the plus icon at the bottom of the screen and selecting "Reel," or by swiping right from your home feed to open the camera and selecting "Reel" at the bottom.

Step 5: Upload Your Video from Your Camera Roll
In the Reels editor, tap the blue plus icon in the bottom-left corner to access your camera roll. Find the watermark-free video you just downloaded and select it. Tap "Add" to bring it into the Reels editing timeline.

Step 6: Re-optimize for an Instagram Audience
This is where you apply the re-optimization strategies we talked about earlier.

• Add Trending Audio: Tap the music note icon to open Instagram's audio library. Search for a popular song or sound that fits your video. Adjust the volume levels if needed so that the new audio complements your original video.
• Write a Strong Caption & Hashtags: Craft a caption that speaks to your Instagram followers. Ask a question to encourage comments, and add a thoughtful mix of broad and niche-specific hashtags.
• Polish Your Reel: Use the Reels editor to add a title or relevant text overlays if it makes sense. Choose an engaging cover frame for your video, as that's what people will see in your profile grid.

Step 7: Share Your Reel!
Once you're happy with your new-and-improved Reel, add any relevant tags, locations, and decide if you want to also share it to your main feed. When you're ready, hit the "Share" button and watch the views roll in!

How to Post a TikTok with the Watermark (The Faster, Less Effective Method)

Sometimes you're in a hurry and just need to get the content out there. While not algorithmically ideal, you can download your video directly from TikTok, which will include the watermark. This method saves you a couple of steps but may result in lower organic reach on Instagram.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download Your Video from TikTok: Open your TikTok video, tap the "Share" icon, and in the bottom row of options, find and tap "Save video." The video will be saved to your camera roll, complete with the TikTok logo and your username.
2. Create a Reel in Instagram: Open Instagram and start a new Reel just as you did in the previous method.
3. Upload and Post: Select the watermarked video from your camera roll, add it to the Reel, write a quick caption, and share it.

While this is faster, it hands Instagram a video that is clearly marked as coming from a competitor platform. Use this method sparingly if growing your Instagram account organically is a primary goal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reposting to Reels

Repurposing content is an art form. Avoiding these common slip-ups will help your posts feel seamless and professional.

• Leaving in TikTok-Specific Text or Cues: If your video has text that says something like, "Check the comments for Part 2" or mentions a TikTok-specific feature, make sure to remove it. You can't edit this after downloading, so it needs to be planned for during filming. The viewer on Instagram will be confused.
• Copy-Pasting the Caption: Your TikTok caption may have been perfect for that platform, but it likely needs a refresh for Instagram. Take 60 seconds to tailor your message.
• Forgetting to Engage: Once your Reel is live on Instagram, treat it as a brand new piece of content. Don't ignore the comments! Reply to your community and show them you're active and present on the platform.
• Ignoring the Format: Double-check that all your important text and visuals are within Instagram's safe zones. Parts of your video can get cut off by the caption or the engagement icons at the bottom of the screen. Preview your Reel before posting to make sure nothing important is hidden.

Final Thoughts

Sharing your TikTok videos to Instagram Reels is an incredibly efficient strategy to maximize the value of your content and reach new audiences. By following the watermark-free method and taking a few moments to re-optimize your video for the Instagram platform - especially by adding trending audio and a fresh caption - you give your work the absolute best chance to perform well everywhere.

As you've seen, keeping your content strategy organized across video-heavy platforms involves many small, repetitive steps. At Postbase, we built our whole platform for the reality of short-form video. Our visual calendar lets you plan, schedule, and see your entire upcoming content lineup for TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, and more, all at once. Once your video is ready, you can upload it once and trust our scheduler to publish it reliably across all your channels without formatting headaches or last-minute errors. We help you take back the time you spend juggling apps so you can focus on what's important: creating amazing video content.