Instagram to Introduce Watch History Feature for Reels

Instagram is enhancing its short-video experience with a highly anticipated feature — Reels Watch History. The new addition enables users to revisit and locate previously viewed videos easily. Announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, this update aims to solve a common user frustration: losing track of engaging Reels that were missed or forgotten to like or save. The rollout is already underway for users worldwide on the latest version of the Instagram app.

Why Watch History Matters for Instagram Users

Until now, users had no direct way to access their Reels viewing history. Many resorted to makeshift methods such as sharing Reels with themselves, saving URLs, or bookmarking links for later. This new Watch History feature eliminates those workarounds by allowing users to see a complete list of all the Reels they’ve watched directly within the app.

For millions of users in India and around the globe, this is a quality-of-life improvement that brings Instagram closer to platforms like YouTube, where watch history has long been a standard feature. Now, finding a funny, educational, or trending video you forgot to like becomes effortless.

Key Features and Sorting Options

The Reels Watch History feature does more than just display a list of videos you’ve seen. It introduces sorting and filtering tools that make navigation simple and efficient.

Users can:

• Sort Reels by date watched – either from newest to oldest or vice versa.

• Filter Reels by specific date ranges – making it easy to find a video watched during a certain time.

• Filter by creator – allowing users to locate Reels from specific accounts they follow or enjoy.

These advanced sorting options turn the Watch History into a personalized discovery hub, helping users re-engage with creators, trends, and content they enjoyed earlier.

How to Access Reels Watch History

Accessing your Reels Watch History on Instagram is simple and intuitive. Here’s how you can find it:

1. Open your Instagram profile.

2. Tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon) in the top-right corner.

3. Select Settings and Privacy.

4. Go to Your Activity.

5. Tap on Watch History.

From there, you’ll see all the Reels you’ve watched, neatly arranged for quick browsing. The feature integrates seamlessly into Instagram’s existing interface for likes, saves, and comments — keeping all your engagement data organized in one place.

Global Rollout and Availability

The Watch History feature is part of Instagram’s latest app update and is being gradually rolled out to users worldwide. While some users may receive the update sooner than others, it will soon be available to everyone using the latest version of the app.

As Instagram continues to evolve its short-form video experience, this feature is expected to improve user retention, content rediscovery, and creator engagement. For frequent Reels viewers, the ability to filter and sort watched content will be particularly valuable — especially as the platform continues to expand its Reels ecosystem with AI-driven recommendations and personalized feeds.

A Step Toward Smarter Content Discovery

Instagram’s Watch History for Reels represents another step in the platform’s journey toward enhancing user control and discoverability. By giving users the ability to revisit and manage their watched content, Instagram is addressing one of the most-requested community features.

This update aligns with Instagram’s broader goal of creating a more intuitive, user-friendly experience where discovering and rediscovering content is effortless. Whether you’re an avid Reels viewer or a casual scroller, this new feature ensures you never lose sight of videos that caught your attention.

Conclusion

With the launch of Reels Watch History, Instagram continues to refine its short-video platform to better serve user needs. The update not only simplifies content retrieval but also enhances engagement, making it easier than ever to reconnect with creators and trends. As the rollout progresses, Instagram users worldwide can look forward to a smarter and more personalized Reels experience.