Instagram Stories don’t have a loop setting. A story video plays once, then Instagram moves on to the next story (Instagram Help). The built-in way to get a loop is Boomerang, which records about a second of video and plays it forward and backward. For a longer clip, repeat it in a video editor before you upload it.
Make a Boomerang in the Story camera
- Tap + and choose Story to open the camera.
- Tap the infinity icon on the left side of the screen.
- Press and hold the capture button to record.
- Tap the infinity icon at the top to trim the clip or pick an effect: Classic, Slo-Mo, Echo or Duo.
- Add text or stickers if you like, and share it to your story (Later).
On iPhone you can also turn a Live Photo into a Boomerang in your story with one tap (Instagram). A regular video from your camera roll can’t be turned into a Boomerang.
Loop a longer video before you post it
- Open the clip in a video editor on your phone or computer.
- Place it on the timeline two or more times in a row (Zeely).
- Export it as one video and upload it to your story.
Keep the finished video at 60 seconds or less. Stories show a video of up to 60 seconds as one clip and split longer videos into several (Instagram).
Online tools can do the repeating for you. Clideo, for example, repeats a video 2 to 6 times, but free exports carry a watermark and you have to upload your file to its site (Clideo). No tool needs your Instagram password to do this.
Other ways to get a looping look
GIF stickers from the sticker tray keep moving in a loop on top of your photo or video (Instagram). If you want several clips in one story, see how to post multiple videos on an Instagram story.
Reels loop by themselves
If the loop matters more than the format, post a Reel instead: Reels replay on their own, unless the viewer has turned on the optional Auto scroll setting, which moves them to the next Reel (Metricool). See how to make a Reel on Instagram.
FAQ
How long can an Instagram story video be?
Up to 60 seconds appears as one clip. Longer videos are split into several clips.
Does a story replay by itself?
No. When a story video ends, Instagram moves on to the next story.
Is there still a Boomerang app?
No. Instagram removed the standalone Boomerang app in March 2022, but Boomerang is still in the Instagram camera (TechCrunch).
Can I make a Boomerang from an old video?
No. Boomerang records a new clip in the camera. On iPhone, a Live Photo can be turned into one.