How to Post TikToks on Instagram

You created a viral-worthy TikTok, and now you want that same magic on Instagram without starting from scratch. Repurposing your best video content is one of the smartest ways to grow your brand, saving you time while expanding your reach to a different audience. This guide walks you through exactly how to post your TikToks on Instagram - the right way - to get maximum engagement on Reels, Stories, and your feed.

Why You Should Repurpose Your TikToks for Instagram

Cross-posting content from TikTok to Instagram is more than just a time-saver, it’s a core strategy for efficient social media growth. Here’s why it’s a non-negotiable for creators and brands looking to scale their presence:

• Maximize Your Reach: Not everyone who follows you on Instagram also follows you on TikTok, and vice versa. By posting your video on both platforms, you instantly double your potential audience for that piece of content. You’re letting a brilliant video do its job in two different places.
• Audience A/B Testing: The audiences on TikTok and Instagram, while overlapping, have distinct behaviors and preferences. A video that performs moderately on TikTok might explode on Instagram Reels because it resonates better with that specific user base. Reposting allows you to see what works best where, giving you valuable data about your followers.
• Reinforce Brand Consistency: A consistent presence across all your social channels helps build a strong, recognizable brand. When followers see your signature style on both TikTok and Instagram, it reinforces your identity and makes your brand more memorable.
• Save Time and Creative Energy: Creating high-quality short-form video takes effort. Instead of brainstorming, filming, and editing a unique video for every platform every day, repurposing allows you to get more mileage out of the hard work you’ve already done. Your creative energy is a finite resource, use it wisely.

First, A Critical Step: Removing the TikTok Watermark

Before you even think about uploading your video to Instagram, you need to address the elephant in the room: the TikTok watermark. Instagram has been open about the fact that its algorithm de-prioritizes content with visible logos or watermarks from competing platforms. In plain English, if you upload a Reel with a TikTok watermark, Instagram is less likely to show it to people, throttling your potential reach.

Besides algorithmic penalties, a clean, watermark-free video just looks more professional. It shows that you're putting care into the content you share on Instagram, rather than just thoughtlessly dumping it there. Taking an extra minute to remove the watermark is a simple step that has a significant impact on both your video’s performance and your brand's perception.

How to Download Your TikTok Video Without the Watermark

Getting a clean version of your video is straightforward. You have two main options, but one is clearly better than the other for maintaining quality.

Method 1: Manually Cropping the Video (The Quick-and-Dirty Way)

This method doesn't technically remove the watermark but instead crops it out of the frame. It's fast and doesn't require third-party tools, but it comes with a major downside.

1. Save your video directly from TikTok to your phone’s camera roll.
2. Open your phone's photo or video editing app.
3. Use the crop tool to slightly zoom in and re-frame the video, cutting off the edges where the TikTok watermark appears.
4. Save the newly cropped version.

The clear advantage is speed. However, you will lose part of your video's frame. This can cut off important visual information, disrupt your carefully planned composition, and make the final video feel cramped or awkwardly framed. It's a workable solution in a pinch, but not ideal.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Watermark Remover (The Recommended Method)

This is the best way to get a clean, high-quality version of your video while preserving the entire frame. These tools are typically websites or apps that download the source file for you, minus the watermark.

While specific services change over time, the process is almost always the same:

1. Open the TikTok app and navigate to the video you want to download.
2. Tap the "Share" icon (the arrow).
3. From the share menu, select "Copy Link."
4. Open your web browser and go to a TikTok video downloader website (a quick search for "TikTok watermark remover" will give you many options, like SSSTikTok or SnapTik).
5. Paste the link you copied into the search bar on the website.
6. Click the "Download" button, usually selecting an option like "Without Watermark" or "HD".
7. The watermark-free video will save directly to your phone's camera roll or downloads folder.

This process takes less than a minute and gives you a professional, ready-to-post video file. This is the method we highly recommend for anyone serious about their content strategy.

Where to Post on Instagram: Reels, Stories, or Feed?

Now that you have your clean video file, you need to decide where it fits best on Instagram. Each format serves a different purpose.

1. Posting to Instagram Reels (Your Best Bet for Growth)

Instagram Reels is the platform’s direct answer to TikTok. It’s designed for short, entertaining vertical videos, making it the most natural and effective place for your repurposed content. Reels are built for discovery, meaning they are shown to people who don't already follow you, making it the supreme format for attracting new followers and increasing reach. Learn more about how to post Instagram Reels for maximum impact.

Step-by-Step Guide to Posting on Reels:

1. Open Instagram and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center of the screen, then select "Reel."
2. In the bottom-left corner, tap the blue plus icon to open your camera roll and select your watermark-free video.
3. Crucial Step: Add Trending Audio. Do not use the original audio from your TikTok unless it's just you talking. Tap the music icon and search for a trending song on Instagram. Using audio that's currently popular on Reels can give your video a massive algorithmic boost. Line it up with your video as needed. For more details, see our guide on how to add music to Instagram Reels.
4. Use Native Text and Stickers. If you need to add text, use Instagram's native text tool instead of relying on text that was created within TikTok. Again, the algorithm favors content made with its own creative tools.
5. Tap "Next" to move to the final screen. Write a compelling caption that encourages engagement. Ask a question or use a clear call-to-action.
6. Add 3-5 relevant, niche hashtags to help Instagram categorize your content and show it to the right people.
7. Tap "Edit Cover" to choose an enticing frame from your video or upload a custom cover image to keep your profile grid looking polished.
8. Make sure "Also share to feed" is toggled on to maximize its initial visibility, and then hit "Share."

2. Posting to Instagram Stories (Perfect for Your Current Followers)

Instagram Stories are less for discovery and more for engaging with your existing community. They are casual, temporary (disappearing after 24 hours), and perfect for a more raw, behind-the-scenes feel. Repurposing a TikTok here is a great way to provide value without cluttering your main feed. To learn more tips on how to use Instagram Stories effectively, check out our guide.

Step-by-Step Guide to Posting on Stories:

1. From the Instagram home screen, swipe right or tap your profile picture with the plus sign (+).
2. Select your video from your camera roll. If it's longer than 15 seconds, Instagram will automatically break it into multiple Story segments.
3. Add Interactive Elements. This is the superpower of Stories. Add a poll, a quiz, a question sticker, or a link sticker to get your audience involved. Active engagement on Stories signals to Instagram that your content is valuable.
4. Tag any relevant accounts and add location tags if applicable.
5. Tap "Your Story" to post.

Stories humanize your brand and offer a low-pressure way to share your great video content with the people who are already loyal to you.

3. Posting to the In-Feed (The Least Recommended Option)

Posting a vertical TikTok video as a standard in-feed video post is generally not the best approach. The feed prioritizes square (1:1) and portrait (4:5) formats, so your 9:16 vertical video will either be awkwardly cropped or displayed with black bars on the top and bottom. With Reels being so dominant for video discovery, a standard feed post simply won't have the same reach potential.

Only consider this option if the content is highly evergreen and you want it to have a permanent, prominent place on your grid without being in the Reels tab. Even then, formatting a vertical version for in-feed playback often delivers a subpar viewing experience.

Final Tips for Winning at Repurposing

• Tailor Your Captions: Never just copy and paste your TikTok caption. Write something fresh for Instagram. Ask questions to spark conversation in the comments and use a tone that matches your Instagram brand voice.
• Engage Immediately: Once your Reel is live, stick around. Respond to comments as they come in. Early engagement tells the algorithm that your post is interesting and worth showing to more people.
• Watch Your Timing: Post when your Instagram audience is most active. Check your Instagram Insights (for Professional accounts) under "Total Followers" to find the peak times and days for your specific audience.
• Don’t Make It a Clone: While repurposing is efficient, your Instagram shouldn't be an exact replica of your TikTok. Mix in content native to Instagram - like high-quality photos, carousels, and original Stories - to keep your feed diverse and interesting for your followers.

Final Thoughts

Repurposing your TikToks for Instagram is a top-tier strategy for growing your audience and making the most of every piece of content you create. By taking a few extra minutes to remove the watermark and optimize your video for each specific format - especially Instagram Reels - you position your content for maximum reach and engagement.

We know that managing content across multiple platforms, especially with the demands of short-form video, can feel like a constant scramble. At Postbase, we focused on building a platform that makes this exact workflow seamless. Instead of manually downloading and uploading to different apps, you can upload your video once in our visual calendar and schedule it across Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Our tool was designed from the ground up for the video-first reality of today's social media, helping you plan your content, publish it reliably, and get back to creating.