Long-awaited “Watch History” feature now lets you find Reels you’ve already viewed
Instagram has finally rolled out one of its most requested features ever — a “Watch History” option for Reels — allowing users to revisit videos they’ve already watched.
The feature, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Friday, is designed to fix one of the platform’s biggest user frustrations: losing track of a Reel after scrolling past it or accidentally refreshing the feed.
Finally, a Fix for Lost Reels
If you’ve ever seen a hilarious clip, cooking hack, or inspiring travel video — only to lose it forever after a call interruption — Instagram’s new Watch History solves exactly that.
In a video announcement, Mosseri said:
“Have you ever tried to get back to a Reel that you’d seen on Instagram and you just can’t find it? Well, there’s a new feature that should help.”
Users can now access their Reels history by going to:
Profile → Settings → Your Activity → Watch History
This section lists all previously watched Reels, neatly organized for easy navigation.
Sorting and Managing Your Reel History
Unlike TikTok’s simpler version, Instagram’s Watch History is interactive.
The new setup offers a cleaner, data-driven overview of your viewing habits — ideal for those who use Reels for tutorials, recipes, workouts, or DIY ideas.
Instagram Catches Up to TikTok
Since introducing Reels in 2020, Instagram has been racing to match TikTok’s short-video experience.
With Watch History, Instagram bridges another major gap, helping users rediscover content without messy workarounds like downloading account data or digging through old notifications.
“Watch History was one of our most requested features globally,” Instagram said in a statement.
What It Means for Users
The new feature enhances user control and personalization, making Instagram’s short-video feed more practical and less fleeting.
From entertainment and education to shopping and cooking tips, users can now revisit the content that matters — ensuring that valuable videos aren’t lost in the endless scroll.
Tech analysts see this as another move by Meta to strengthen Instagram’s ecosystem and retain users in its battle for attention against TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
Quick Summary: What’s New
| Feature | What It Does | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Watch History | Lets users view previously watched Reels | Eliminates frustration of losing videos |
| Sorting Options | Filter by date, creator, or time watched | Easier browsing and organization |
| Manual Deletion | Remove specific Reels from history | Improved privacy control |
| Data Integration | Built directly into “Your Activity” tab | Simple, in-app accessibility |
