We’ve all been there: you’re scrolling through Instagram Reels, stumble upon a hilarious one, and just as you’re about to show it to a friend—poof, it’s gone! Unlike posts, Instagram doesn’t offer a straightforward way to revisit reels you’ve already watched. Frustrating, right? But don’t worry, there are some handy tricks to help you find your Instagram watch history. Let’s dive in and track down that memorable reel!
How to Find Your Instagram Watch History?
Instagram doesn’t provide a straightforward way to check the Reels you’ve recently watched. However, if you interacted with a Reel—such as liking, sharing, or commenting—you can still track it down. Here’s how you can find your Instagram watch history:
Method 1: Check Reels You’ve Liked
One of the easiest ways to revisit a Reel is by looking at your liked posts. Instagram keeps a record of all the posts and Reels you’ve liked, so this can be a handy option. Follow these steps:
- Open Instagram and navigate to your profile.
- Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-right corner.
- Select Your activity from the menu, then choose Likes under the “Interactions” section.
- You’ll see all the posts and Reels you’ve liked. To narrow it down to Reels, tap the All content types dropdown and select Reels under the “Filter by content type” menu.
This will filter out non-Reels content, leaving only the Reels you’ve liked. You can further sort them by time or creator to make your search easier.
If you didn’t like the Reel you’re looking for, unfortunately, it won’t show up here. But don’t worry—there are other methods you can try!
Method 2: Check Your Saved Folder for Watch History
Another way to keep track of your Instagram Reels is by saving them. Saving a Reel takes an extra step compared to liking it but allows you to organize and revisit the Reels you’re interested in later. Here’s how to save and access saved Reels:
- While browsing, if you find a Reel you like, tap the three-dot icon on the Reel.
- Select Save from the menu.
To find your saved Reels:
- Go to your profile and tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-right corner.
- Select Saved, then tap All Posts to view all saved content.
- Switch to the Reels tab to filter only saved Reels and locate the one you’re searching for.
Method 3: Use Accounts or Hashtags to Find Reels
If you didn’t save or like the Reel, your memory can help you track it down. Try recalling the account name of the creator or hashtags associated with the Reel.
- Tap the Search icon in the bottom toolbar to open the Explore page
- Use the search bar to type the account name or hashtag.
- If searching by account, go to the Accounts tab, select the familiar profile, and browse through their Reels.
Hashtags can also narrow down the search to similar content and help locate the Reel you’re after.
Method 4: Search for Reels Using Music or Audio
Many Reels feature catchy or trending music. If you can remember the song or even a part of its lyrics, you can use this to find the Reel:
- Tap the Search icon to open the Explore page.
- Enter the song name or its lyrics in the search bar.
- Switch to the Audio section and select the correct song.
Instagram will display a list of Reels using the same audio. Scroll through them to see if the one you’re searching for appears. If you don’t remember the song’s name, try Googling the lyrics to identify the track before returning to Instagram to continue your search.
These methods make it much easier to track down the Reels you’ve watched or want to revisit!
Method 5: Look for Instagram Reels on Other Platforms
This might not be the most obvious solution, but if you’re searching for a specific Reel you came across, consider looking for it on other platforms. Viral Reels often get re-uploaded to sites like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Reddit, or even show up in a Google search.
If the Reel had a memorable dialogue, product, or unique element you can recall, try searching for those keywords on Google or another platform. There’s a good chance you’ll find it elsewhere.
In conclusion
While Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in watch history for Reels, these methods provide effective workarounds to help you find what you’re looking for. Whether it’s through liked posts, saved Reels, hashtags, audio tracks, or even other platforms, there are plenty of ways to track down that unforgettable Reel. With a little extra effort, you can keep your favorite content within reach—until Instagram hopefully adds a dedicated watch history feature!