We’ve all been there. It is 2 AM: you are scrolling through Instagram Reels, come across something really brilliant, then continue scrolling. After an hour, you stop and can no longer find it. Instagram has finally understood it, and they have done something about it.
What Instagram Has Just Released?
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Instagram, owned by Meta, has incorporated a new feature that enables users to re-watch the reels that they have already watched. The option resembles the Watch History feature of TikTok. The new feature was announced through Instagram head Adam Mosseri on the social media platform, where he stated, “Have you ever tried to get back to a reel that you had already seen on Instagram and you just can’t find it? Well, there is a new feature that ought to help. You will see in your activity all the reels you have ever watched, so on your profile, you will see in settings, your activities, Watch History now.”
The announcement made by Mosseri is to the point since this is what virtually everyone has gone through. You find a recipe that you want to try, a song that you want to save, or a funny video that you want to share with your friends, but you forget to save it. Then it disappears in the endless scroll.
Why This Matters?
This feature has been available on TikTok for a long time, and Instagram users have been requesting it. It is good news that the platform is not lagging in terms of catching up, especially if you are tired of losing track of content that you actually wish to view again.
The feature is simple. All the Reels are logged automatically. There is no need to remind yourself to save or bookmark them at the time. Simply watch, and Instagram keeps track.
How To Watch Previously Viewed Reels On Instagram
It takes just 10 seconds to get to your watch history:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your phone.
Step 2: Tap your profile picture at the bottom right to access your profile.
Step 3: Click the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right corner.
Step 4: Choose “Settings” from the menu.
Step 5: You will find “Your Activity” in Settings.
Step 6: Tap “Watch History.” This page displays the Reels you have recently viewed.
Step 7: Tap and scroll through the list to find the Reel you want to rewatch. Tap any item to open that Reel.
That’s it. There are seven steps, which may seem quite a few, but once you know where it is, you can reach it quickly.
What Can You Do On The Watch History Page?
The Watch History page is not static. You can actually interact with the Reels you watch:
- Tap again to play a Reel.
- Tap the three dots to save, share, report, or view the account that posted it.
- Use the top menu (when available) to filter or search your activity.
These choices will now allow you to save that recipe you saw three days ago or revisit that workout program you didn’t want to lose.
The Competition Factor
Instagram didn’t just decide to become generous overnight. TikTok has had a Watch History feature for years, and users have long wanted the same for Instagram. This update shows Instagram is keeping up with its biggest rival.
The two platforms continue to borrow ideas from each other. TikTok introduced photo carousels (an Instagram thing), Instagram introduced Reels (a TikTok thing), and now Instagram has introduced Watch History. It’s an unending cycle — and users are the ones benefiting from better features.
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