Ever scrolled through your Instagram Reels feed, found something amazing, and then accidentally refreshed the page or closed the app — only to lose that Reel forever? You’re not alone. Instagram finally has a fix for that frustrating problem.

The platform has just introduced a new Watch History feature that lets you see all the Reels you’ve previously watched. It’s one of the most requested updates from users, and it’s now available to everyone. Whether you want to revisit a funny clip, find that recipe video you missed, or rewatch a creative idea, Instagram has made it incredibly simple.

How to See Watched Reels on Instagram

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to see watched Reels on Instagram, step by step, along with tips on how to manage your Watch History.

What is Instagram’s Watch History Feature?

Instagram’s Watch History is a brand-new feature that allows you to view every Reel you’ve ever watched. Think of it as your personal library of all the short videos you’ve come across on the app.

Before this feature, if you wanted to find a Reel you had already seen, you had to rely on memory, saved posts, or your data download history — which was complicated and unreliable. Now, with Watch History, you can browse through your previously watched Reels easily, just like TikTok’s Watch History feature.

Why You’ll Love This Feature

The Watch History feature is a real game-changer for several reasons.

  • You can revisit Reels you forgot to save.
  • It’s helpful if you were interrupted by a call or accidentally closed the app.
  • You can sort your watched Reels by date or author for better organization.
  • You can even remove specific Reels from your history if you prefer.

It’s not just convenient — it’s a much-needed addition that makes Instagram Reels more user-friendly and on par with TikTok’s experience.

How to See Watched Reels on Instagram

Ready to find your watched Reels? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Your Instagram App

Make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. You can check for updates in the App Store or Google Play Store before continuing.

Step 2: Go to Your Profile

Tap your profile picture at the bottom right corner of the screen to open your profile page.

Step 3: Open Settings and Privacy

On your profile, tap the three-line menu (☰) at the top right corner. From there, select Settings and Privacy.

Step 4: Tap “Your Activity”

Inside the Settings menu, scroll down and tap Your Activity. This section contains everything related to your in-app interactions, including time spent, likes, comments, and now your Watch History.

Step 5: Select “Watch History”

Here’s where the magic happens. Under Your Activity, you’ll now see a new option labeled Watch History. Tap it to open your full list of watched Reels.

Step 6: Browse Your Watched Reels

You’ll now see a timeline of all the Reels you’ve watched. You can:

  • Sort them by date or author
  • View them in chronological or reverse chronological order
  • Search within a specific date range such as the past week or month

Step 7: Manage or Remove Reels

If you want to clear some videos from your Watch History, simply tap and remove them individually. Instagram gives you full control over what stays in your list.

Bonus Tip: How to Keep Reels Organized

If you frequently find yourself discovering amazing Reels and want to keep them handy, use these quick tricks:

  • Save Reels: Tap the bookmark icon while watching a Reel to save it directly into your Saved folder.
  • Create Collections: Group saved Reels into collections such as Recipes, Fitness, or DIY for easier access later.
  • Like Reels: Liking a Reel also helps Instagram understand your interests and makes it more likely to appear in your feed again.

Combining these features with Watch History gives you complete control over your Reels experience.

Privacy and Control Over Watch History

Instagram allows you to delete your entire Watch History or remove individual videos at any time. You’re also free to keep this feature completely private — it’s visible only to you.

If you share your device or want to ensure extra privacy, make it a habit to clear your Watch History occasionally.

How Instagram’s Watch History Compares to TikTok

While TikTok has had Watch History for years, Instagram’s version offers a few extra touches. You can:

  • Sort your history in more ways (by date or creator)
  • Remove specific Reels instead of clearing the whole history
  • Filter through videos using date ranges

This gives Instagram users a bit more flexibility and control compared to TikTok’s more basic approach.

Why This Matters for Users

Instagram’s new Watch History feature shows that Meta is serious about improving the Reels experience. Since Reels launched as a TikTok alternative, Instagram has gradually added missing features like series creation, Picture-in-Picture viewing, and now Watch History.

These upgrades make Reels more enjoyable, more personal, and more practical. For users who rely on Reels for entertainment, learning, or inspiration, Watch History is the update they’ve been waiting for.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s Watch History is a small but powerful update that changes the way we interact with Reels. No more scrolling endlessly or regretting that you didn’t save a video in time.

With just a few taps, you can now revisit, organize, and manage all the Reels you’ve watched. It’s convenient, user-friendly, and long overdue.

So go ahead — update your Instagram app, open your Watch History, and rediscover the Reels that made you laugh, learn, and get inspired.

# Written by Elliyas Ahmed