5 Ways to View Reels You’ve Watched on Instagram

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Get the details on your last Instagram Reel binge end-to-end

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: September 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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Reel Feed

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Interaction History

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Search the Account

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Search the Reel

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Download Your Data

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Video

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Tips

Did you watch a video on Instagram the other day that you want to re-watch? Unfortunately, Instagram does not offer an official "watch history" section, so this article will cover the numerous alternatives you can use to track down that Instagram Reel in no time.

The Best Workarounds for Finding Your Watched Reels

Check your Reels feed to find the video again if you watched it recently.
Check your Interaction History if you liked or commented on the Reel.
Search for the account that posted the Reel if you remember who posted it.
Use keywords to search for the Reel.
Download your Instagram data to get a copy of your watch history.

Section 1 of 5:

Alternative 1: Check Your Reel Feed

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Tap the Reel icon and look for the Reel. This will work as long as the app or website hasn't refreshed, meaning you haven't closed the app or signed out.
- If you've scrolled through and can't find the same video again, the app or website has refreshed and you'll need to use another method.

Section 2 of 5:

Alternative 2: Check Your Interaction History

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1
Click or tap your profile icon. This only works if you've interacted with the Reel, like you liked or commented on it.
- You can also access "Your Activity" using a web browser.
2
Click or tap ☰. You'll see this three-line (hamburger) menu in different places, depending on the platform you're using:
- On mobile, the menu is in the top right corner of your screen.
- On the website, the menu is in the bottom left corner of the browser.
This is next to an icon that looks like a line graph.
4
Navigate through the Interactions menus to find the Reel. If you liked the video, look in Likes; if you commented, look in Comments.^{[1]
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- If you can't find the Reel here, try other methods.

Section 3 of 5:

Alternative 3: Search the Account That Made the Reel

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Click or tap
and enter the username. Use the results to find the account and the Reel, unless they deleted it, will show up!
- If searching isn't working, do you follow the account that posted the Reel? Go to your profile and look through "Following" to see if you can find them and the Reel that way.
- You can search or browse your Following list in the app or using the website.

Section 4 of 5:

Alternative 4: Search for the Reel

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You can use keywords, hashtags, the caption, or the music used that might bring up the video.

Section 5 of 5:

Alternative 5: Download Your Instagram Data

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1
Click or tap ☰. Using this method, you'll download your Instagram data, which includes the activity history of what Reels you've watched. While you can do this on both the website and the mobile app, using the website on a computer is easier.
- You'll see this three-line (hamburger) menu in different places, depending on the platform you're using:
  - On mobile, the menu is in the top right corner of your screen.
  - On the website, the menu is in the bottom left corner of the browser.
This is next to an icon that looks like a line graph.
3
Select Download your information. It's at the bottom of the menu.
- If you're using the website, click Continue to open Accounts Center.
You'll find this button centered in the middle of the screen.
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Select your Instagram account. You'll see all your linked accounts in Account Center, so check the box next to the Instagram account from which you want to download information.
- Click or tap Next to continue.
This is generally the first option.
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Choose where you want the information to download. You can select either "Download to device" or "Transfer to destination." The option to transfer is great if the device you're currently using is limited in space.
- If you opt to "Transfer to destination," you'll need to sign into the cloud storage account that you selected, including Google Drive and Dropbox.
8
Adjust the download more. If you are sure you watched the video on Instagram at least 3 months ago, you can choose "Last 3 months" in Date range.
- Next to Notify, make sure the email address listed is accurate.
- Make sure Format is something that you can easily access. HTML is the default and is easily readable by web browsers.
- If you're using the website, you'll have the option to adjust the Media quality as well. Changing this may impact how long the file takes to download.
You'll see a notification window appear that confirms the download is in progress and that you'll be notified by email when it's available for you to get.^{[2]
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10
Click or tap the link in your email to download your data or view the transfer. The link will only remain valid for 4 days.
- Click or tap Download in the pop-up window. If you opted to use a cloud storage service instead, you can go directly to the video file "videos_watched" without downloading anything.
- Enter your password if prompted.
11
Find your watched history. After the zip file is downloaded, go to "ads_information > ads_and_topics > videos_watched". That's the same path if the data folder is in Google Drive or Dropbox.
- When this file opens, you'll see a list of account names and times for videos and Reels that you've watched. Use this information to search for these account names on Instagram and find the Reel.