The right way to repost a TikTok depends on where you're sharing it. On TikTok itself, use the built-in Repost, Stitch or Duet features, which credit the creator automatically. To share someone else's video on another platform, ask the creator first and credit them clearly. And if it's your own video, download a clean copy and post it wherever you like.
This guide walks through each case, including a short message you can use to ask for permission.
Reposting on TikTok: use the built-in tools
TikTok gives you several ways to share someone's video that keep the creator attached to it. You don't need to download anything.
- Repost: tap Share, then Repost. The video may show up in your friends' For You feeds, labelled as a repost, with the creator's name still on it. It's the simplest way to say "look at this".
- Stitch: use a short clip from their video at the start of your own, then add your reaction or answer. TikTok links back to the original.
- Duet: record your video side by side with theirs. Good for reactions, singing along or tutorials.
- Share the link: send the TikTok link in a chat or post it elsewhere, so people watch it on the creator's profile.
Creators can turn off Stitch and Duet for their videos. If those options are missing or greyed out, it usually means the creator turned them off, or the account is private or belongs to a younger user. Use Repost or the link instead.
Sharing someone else's TikTok on Reels, Shorts or Facebook
Here's where people get into trouble. Downloading a TikTok and uploading it to Instagram or YouTube as a new post puts the video on your account, not the creator's. Even with good intentions, that can look like content theft, and platforms are paying attention:
- Instagram has said it shows Reels with other apps' watermarks to fewer people, and it favours original content over reposts.
- YouTube may not let channels earn money from videos that mainly reuse other people's content without adding something meaningful.
- The creator can report the upload, which can lead to it being removed and a strike on your account.
So, before you post anywhere outside TikTok:
1. Ask for permission
Most creators are happy to say yes when you ask politely and promise credit. Send a direct message or comment like this:
Hi! I love your video about [topic]. Would you be OK with me sharing it on my [Instagram / YouTube / Facebook] page? I'll credit you in the caption and on screen as @[their username]. Thanks!
Keep the screenshot of their reply. If they say no or don't answer, don't post it; share the TikTok link instead.
2. Credit them properly
A good credit is visible and specific:
- Put "Video by @username on TikTok" at the start of your caption, not hidden under hashtags.
- Add their username on screen too, especially if the video might get shared further.
- Tag their account on the platform you're posting to, if they have one there.
- Don't crop out their username or face, and don't present their work as yours.
3. Download the clean version
If you have permission, download the video without the TikTok watermark from the TikTok downloader. A clean file looks better on other platforms, and you can add your own on-screen credit. The watermark guide explains why the clean version is better than cropping.
4. Be careful with the music
Many TikToks use commercial songs licensed for TikTok only. If you upload the same video to Instagram or YouTube, their copyright systems may mute it or block it. If that happens, replace the audio with a track from that platform's own music library.
Crediting inside a longer video
If you have permission to use someone's TikTok inside a longer video, such as a reaction, a review or a roundup, the credit needs to travel with the clip:
- Show their username on screen for the whole time their clip plays, not just for a second.
- Mention them out loud if your video has narration.
- Link to their TikTok profile in the description, with a line like "Clip used with permission from @username".
- Keep their clip short and add your own commentary around it, so your video brings something new.
Moving your own TikToks to Reels and Shorts
Your own videos are yours to post anywhere. To do it cleanly:
- Download a clean copy. Copy your post's link and save it with DropTik, or turn on the save-to-device option on TikTok's posting screen when you publish.
- Check the audio. If you used a song from TikTok's library, swap it for a sound from Instagram's or YouTube's library when you upload there.
- Rewrite the caption. Each platform has its own style and hashtags. A fresh caption tends to do better than a pasted one.
- Post natively. Upload the file directly rather than sharing a TikTok link, so each platform treats it as a proper post.
If you post often, the bulk downloader saves up to five of your videos at a time.
What not to do
- Don't download a video, remove the watermark and post it as your own.
- Don't assume a credit in the caption equals permission.
- Don't build compilation pages from other people's TikToks without permission; they're a common source of takedowns.
- Don't repost videos from private accounts or from children and young teens, even if you can see them.
Our article on whether it's legal to download TikTok videos covers the copyright side in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is "no copyright intended" enough to repost a video? No. That phrase has no legal effect. Permission from the creator is what matters.
Can I repost if I credit the creator? Credit is important, but it isn't permission. Ask first, then credit.
What if the creator doesn't reply? Then don't upload the video. Share the TikTok link instead, which sends people to their profile.
Can I repost my own TikTok to Instagram? Yes, it's your content. Download a clean copy and check that the music is available on Instagram.