Can’t find that Reel you liked? Instagram’s new Watch History can help

New Delhi: Instagram is rolling out a new Watch History feature for Reels, designed to help users revisit videos they have previously watched, addressing a common frustration for those who lose track of memorable clips in the app’s endless scroll.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, confirmed the update on Threads, noting that the Watch History section works much like YouTube’s watch history but is specific to Reels. The feature displays every Reel a user has watched on their account, making it easier to find a missed video without relying on manual saves or likes.

The update also introduces filters that allow users to sort watched Reels by date or by account. Viewers can look up videos from a particular day or week, or filter by creator if they remember the handle but not the content itself.

To access the Watch History, users can go to their profile tab, tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner, and navigate through Settings → Your activity → Watch history.

The feature has begun appearing for several users on the latest version of the app, including on devices such as the Pixel 10 Pro, suggesting that the wider rollout is under way.

Until now, users wanting to revisit a Reel often resorted to liking, bookmarking, or sending it to themselves as a workaround. The new Watch History removes that need, offering a more straightforward way to retrace recently viewed videos.

While heavy users who scroll through hundreds of Reels daily may still face a lengthy list, the update offers a practical improvement to everyday use, making it simpler to rediscover useful, entertaining, or inspiring videos without the guesswork.