Have you ever watched an amazing Instagram Reel, only to forget who posted it? Don’t worry! There’s a way to find recently watched Reels on Instagram. It’s not as obvious as it should be, but we’ve got you covered.
Why Instagram Doesn’t Have a “Recently Watched” Section
Instagram doesn’t provide a dedicated section for recently watched Reels. Unlike YouTube’s watch history, Instagram keeps things a bit hidden. But don’t worry! With a few tricks, you can still track them down.
Ways to Find Recently Watched Reels
You can try different methods to locate a Reel you recently watched. Let’s dive into them!
1. Check Your Activity
Instagram has an Activity Log where your interactions are stored. Follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to your profile by tapping your picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right.
- Select Your activity.
- Tap Interactions and then Likes.
If you liked the Reel, you’ll find it here!

2. Search Your Watch History (Manually)
Instagram doesn’t have an official Watch History, but you can still backtrack:
- Think about keywords from the Reel.
- Use the search bar to find related content.
- If the Reel was from an account you follow, check their profile’s Reels section.
This method requires some memory, but it works!
3. Look at Your Saved Reels
Did you save the Reel? If yes, here’s how to find it:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the three-line menu and select Saved.
- Open the Reels folder.
All saved Reels are kept here for later viewing.
4. Revisit Your Explore Page
If the Reel appeared in your Explore section, Instagram might still suggest similar videos:
- Go to the Explore tab (magnifying glass icon).
- Scroll down and look for familiar Reels.
- Instagram sometimes recommends videos you’ve watched before.

5. Check Shared Reels in DMs
Did you send the Reel to a friend? Simply:
- Go to your Instagram messages by tapping the inbox icon.
- Open chats where you might have sent the Reel.
- Look for the video in shared messages.
This is one of the easiest ways to rediscover a lost Reel!
Tips to Never Lose a Reel Again
The best way to avoid searching for Reels is to save them right away. Here’s how:
- When watching a Reel, tap the bookmark icon on the right side.
- It goes into your Saved collection.
- Organize them into folders for easy access later.
Will Instagram Add a Watch History?
Users have been asking for a watch history feature, but Instagram hasn’t added one yet. However, given the demand, it might happen in the future. Until then, these tricks will help you find the Reels you love.

Final Thoughts
Finding recently watched Reels on Instagram isn’t straightforward, but it’s possible! Use your activity, likes, and saved items to track them down. Next time, be sure to save or share Reels to avoid losing them. Happy scrolling!