Instagram has rolled out a long-awaited “Watch History” feature that allows users to revisit Reels they’ve previously watched — addressing one of the platform’s most common frustrations. The new function, similar to one available on TikTok, makes it easier to find and rewatch videos that users may have lost after closing the app or receiving a call.
Announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri in a video on Friday, the update is part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to improve user experience. “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,” Mosseri said.
Users can now access their Reel viewing history by navigating to Profile → Settings → Your Activity → Watch History, where all previously watched Reels will be listed. The feature also includes management tools that let users sort their Reels by date — within a week, a month, or a custom range — and delete specific videos from their history if desired.
Unlike TikTok’s version, Instagram’s Watch History gives users more control with multiple sorting options, including chronological, reverse chronological, and creator-based filtering. This improvement provides a simpler, more organized way to keep track of viewed content without endless scrolling.
According to Instagram, Watch History was one of the most requested additions from users worldwide. Previously, people had to rely on workarounds such as downloading their data or scrolling through liked posts to find lost videos.
This update continues Instagram’s push to enhance Reels, following recent upgrades like multi-Reel linking and Picture-in-Picture playback. By adding Watch History, Instagram strengthens its short-video experience, helping users rediscover valuable content — from recipes and tutorials to entertainment and travel clips — without losing it in the fast-moving feed.
