Instagram has finally introduced a proper Watch History feature for Reels — making it much easier to find any video you’ve seen before but forgot to like or save. Whether it’s a recipe, meme, or tutorial you lost in the feed, Instagram now lets you revisit every Reel you’ve watched inside the app itself.
What Is Instagram’s Watch History Feature?
The new Watch History tab keeps track of every Reel you’ve watched in a neat list. It works just like YouTube’s Watch History or TikTok’s Watched Videos, giving you quick access to your previously played content without having to remember who posted it. Announced by Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, this feature is one of the most requested additions in recent years.
It also supports several filters:
- Sort Reels from newest to oldest
- Filter by dates or custom range
- View Reels by specific creator or author
- Remove Reels individually from your history
How to Check Your Instagram Watch History
Follow these steps to view your Watch History inside the Instagram app:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile (bottom-right corner).
- Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
- Tap Your Activity.
- Scroll down and select Watch history.
- Here you’ll see a list of all the Reels you’ve watched recently.
That’s it — you can now browse through your full watch log. Instagram even stores Reels for the last 30 days, making it simple to rediscover your favorites or save them later.
Can You Delete Items from Watch History?
Yes, Instagram gives you full control. You can:
- Remove individual Reels you don’t want saved
- Clear the full history if you prefer to reset it
This is especially useful for privacy or if you share your device with others.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Before this update, the only way to view your reel history was through:
- Checking liked posts
- Reviewing saved collections
- Downloading your account data file
That made finding lost Reels tedious. Now, the direct Watch History section eliminates all that hassle, streamlining how users rewatch and manage Reels content.
The new Instagram Watch History feature finally brings the platform in line with rivals like TikTok and YouTube. It’s a small but highly impactful change for creators, casual users, and anyone constantly scrolling through reels they wish they could find again later.
To try it now, make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version on Android or iOS.