We’ve all been there, watching a reel on Instagram and then losing it. It can be frustrating, especially when you go through your whole Instagram but can’t find that reel. This is why in this blog, I’m going to teach you how to see watch history on Instagram and how to find your lost videos again.
I’ll also answer common questions like:
- How to see Instagram watch history?
- How to find reels you watched on Instagram?
- Can you delete your Instagram reel history?
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to See Watch History on Instagram?
If you’re wondering, ‘Does Instagram have a watch history?’ Here’s the answer: Unlike TikTok, Instagram doesn’t have a ‘Watch History’ option, so there is no direct way to view the videos you have watched. But a few ways can help you find the lost reel you’re looking for.
Here’s how to see the reels you viewed on Instagram:
Suggested Post: How to See Old Messages on Instagram?
1. Check Your Reels Feed
If you’re figuring out how to check Instagram reels history, checking the Reels Feed is the easiest way possible. Instagram’s algorithm often shows you similar content based on your Instagram view history, so scrolling through your Reels feed could help you find the video again.
2. Interaction History
Instagram keeps a record of your interactions. You can find the video on your Instagram activity if you liked or commented on the reel. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Your Activity.’
- You can see all the options for the posts you’ve liked or commented on there.
3. Search the Account
If you remember who posted the video, you can search for their account and find the video there. If it doesn’t work, you can search on Google or other social media like TikTok to see if the video shows up.
4. Use Keywords
If you remember specific details or keywords from the video, you can use Instagram’s search bar. Search keywords or hashtags related to the video and see if you can re-watch the video you saw on Instagram.
5. Download Your Instagram Data
If none of the solutions above worked and you really want to find the video, you can download your data from Instagram.
Instagram allows you to download a copy of your data, which includes a list of your interactions:
- Go to your profile, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and select ‘Settings.’
- Under Security, tap on ‘Download Data.’
- Enter your email address and request the download. Instagram will send you a link to download your data, which includes your Instagram watched reel history. But keep in mind this method might take a couple of days.
How to Find a Reel You Watched on Instagram But Didn’t Like?
Locating a Reel you viewed on Instagram but didn’t like can be challenging because Instagram lacks a specific watch history feature. You can use the methods I suggested above:
1. Check Your Reels Feed
2. Search for the Account
3. Use Keywords
4. Check Your Interaction History
5. Download Your Data
How to Find Stories I Recently Viewed on Instagram?
Unlike reels and posts, you can easily find recently viewed Instagram stories. All you need to do is open your feed and swipe your stories to the left until you reach the end of them. This is because when you view a story, it goes to the end of the lines of the stories in your feed.
Suggested Post: Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
Tips to Find Your Favorite Instagram Reels Again
But there are a few tips you can try to find your favorite Reels again.
1. Save the Reels you like
If you enjoy a Reel, tap the Save button. Just tap the bookmark icon when you like a Reel, and it goes straight to your Saved folder.
Later, you can go back and check all your saved content in one place. You can even organize them into collections if you like to stay extra tidy.
2. Like or comment to leave a trace
Whenever you like or comment on a Reel, it leaves a small trail. You can go to your account activity and find all the posts you’ve liked. This not only helps you find them again, but also supports the creators behind those videos.
Moreover, a quick comment might also help you connect with others who liked the same Reel!
3. Download the Reels you don’t want to lose
If saving and liking isn’t helping because you’re collecting too many, you can go one step further and download the Reels you really love. You can use third-party Instagram downloaders. This way, you’ll have a copy saved to your phone or computer, perfect for offline viewing or just keeping your top favorites in one safe spot.
Wrapping Up
Even though Instagram doesn’t have a clear watch history feature, there are still easy ways to find reels you’ve seen, like checking your Reels feed, looking at your activity, or searching for the account or hashtags.
If you’re wondering how to view watch history on Instagram, the closest option is to check the “Your Activity” section or download your Instagram data.
And to make things easier next time, don’t forget to save the reels you love or drop a like or comment so you can find them again later!
FAQs
If you’re still having unanswered questions, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q1. Is There a Way to See Instagram Watch History?
Instagram does not have a specific ‘watch history’ feature. However, you can use several methods to find videos you’ve watched, such as checking your Reels feed, looking at your interaction history, searching for the account that posted the video, or using keywords related to the video.
Q2. How Do You See Your Activity History on Instagram?
To see your activity history on Instagram:
- Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Your Activity.’
Q3. Can You See Posts You’ve Viewed on Instagram?
Instagram does not provide a direct way to see all the posts you’ve viewed. However, if you liked or commented on a post, you can find it in your interaction history under ‘Your Activity.’ Additionally, you can search for specific accounts or use keywords to find posts you remember viewing.
Q4. Can You See Your Browsing History on Instagram?
Instagram does not have a feature allowing you to view your browsing history. You can see your search history by going to the search tab and viewing recent searches. Your recent searches will appear at the top. You can clear Instagram search suggestions if you wish.
Q5. How to Delete Reel History on Instagram?
Instagram doesn’t give you the option to clear your Reel watch history. Like many social apps, it keeps track of the videos you watch to learn what kind of content you like. This helps the app recommend more Reels you might enjoy. But don’t worry, only you can see this activity. No one else has access to it.
Q6. Can I See My Browsing History on Instagram?
Yes, Instagram lets you see the websites you’ve visited through its in-app browser. Just go to Your Activity > Link History, and you’ll find a list of links you’ve opened in the past 30 days. This only includes websites you tapped on while using Instagram, not your entire internet history.
