Instagram has introduced a much-requested “Watch History” feature that lets users go back and view Reels they’ve previously watched — a function that TikTok has offered for years.
The update, announced on Friday, aims to make it easier for users to rediscover lost or unsaved videos.
Have you ever come across a funny or insightful Reel, only to lose it after a call or app crash? Instagram’s new Watch History is designed precisely to fix that.
In a video announcement, Instagram head Adam 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 is a new feature that should help.”
To access it, users can go to Profile → Settings → Your Activity → Watch History, where every watched Reel will now appear.
Sorting and managing your reel history
Instagram’s Watch History isn’t just a static list. Users can sort their viewed Reels by date — including the past week, month, or a custom date range — and even remove specific videos from their history.
Unlike TikTok’s version, Instagram adds extra flexibility by letting users sort their history chronologically, reverse chronologically, or by creator.
This feature provides a cleaner and more intuitive way to keep track of your viewing habits without needing to scroll endlessly through the Reels feed.
According to Instagram, Watch History was one of the most requested features from its global user base.
Previously, users had to rely on complex workarounds, such as downloading their account data and manually searching through it to find lost Reels. The new feature removes that hassle entirely, allowing seamless access within the app itself.
Reels catching up with TikTok
Since the launch of Instagram Reels in 2020, Meta has steadily upgraded the platform to match TikTok’s pace.
Recent updates include allowing creators to link multiple Reels in a series and introducing Picture-in-Picture (PiP) viewing, both of which mirror features available on TikTok.
The addition of Watch History further bridges the gap, making Instagram’s short-video experience more complete and user-friendly.
The new Watch History feature marks another step in Instagram’s push toward a more personalized, content-centric experience.
By making it easier to revisit Reels — whether for entertainment, recipes, tutorials, or travel inspiration — the update ensures that valuable content isn’t lost in the fast-moving feed.
