Have you ever watched a fantastic Reel that you couldn’t find again? We’ve all been there! Instagram knows it can be frustrating to lose track of your favorite Reels, so it has made it easier to find them again. Whether you want to rewatch a Reel, share it with friends, or simply revisit it for inspiration, this guide will provide you with comprehensive instructions on how to view a Reel again.
Before you can view a Reel again, you must first save it to your account. You can do this by tapping the bookmark icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the Reel. Once a Reel is saved, you can access it at any time by going to your profile and clicking on the “Saved” tab. This tab will contain all of your saved Reels, making it easy to find the one you’re looking for.
If you’re struggling to find a specific Reel, you can use the search bar at the top of the “Saved” tab to search for it by name or keyword. You can also filter your saved Reels by date, making it easy to find Reels that you watched recently. Whether you’re looking to relive a cherished memory or rediscover a creative gem, this simple guide will help you effortlessly view any Reel again.
How to Access Your Viewed Reels
Your reel viewing history is conveniently stored within the Instagram app, allowing you to revisit and re-engage with reels that have sparked your interest or inspired you. Follow these steps to effortlessly access your recently viewed reels:
-
Navigate to the Reels tab: Tap on the Reels icon located at the bottom navigation bar to enter the Reels feed.
Open the Reels menu: Once you’re on the Reels feed, tap on the small arrow icon pointing downwards located above the Explore page. A drop-down menu will appear.
Select “History”: From the drop-down menu, choose the “History” option. This will redirect you to a separate page displaying your recently viewed reels.
Finding a Specific Reel in Your History
If you know the exact reel you’re looking for, you can use Instagram’s search feature. Simply:
Step 1: Tap on the magnifying glass icon
This will open the search bar.
Step 2: Type in the name of the user who posted the reel
If you remember the username exactly, enter it here.
Step 3: Tap on the “Reels” tab
This will filter the search results to only show reels. If you still see multiple reels, you can try adding more details to your search, such as the date or location the reel was posted.
Step 4: Find and tap on the reel you’re looking for
Once you’ve found the reel, you can tap on it to watch it again.
Using the Search Bar to Locate a Reel
If you recall specific details about the reel you wish to find, the search bar can be a potent tool. Follow these steps to utilize the search bar effectively:
-
Access Instagram and log into your account.
-
Tap on the magnifying glass icon located at the bottom of the screen to open the search bar.
-
Enter relevant keywords related to the reel you’re searching for.
Example: If you remember the creator’s username, type it into the search bar. Try searching for specific hashtags associated with the reel’s content. Enter keywords that describe the video’s visuals or theme. -
Filter the search results by selecting “Reels” from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
-
Browse the displayed Reels and identify the one you’re looking for.
Checking the Reels You’ve Liked or Commented On
Another way to view a reel you’ve seen but can’t find is to check your interactions with it. Reels that you’ve liked or commented on will be saved in your Instagram activity history. Here’s how to access it:
- Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three lines in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
- Under the “Interactions” section, tap on “View Liked Reels.”
- You will see a list of all the reels you’ve liked. Find the one you’re looking for and tap on it to view it.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner. |
| 2 | Tap on the three lines in the top right corner and select “Settings.” |
| 3 | Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.” |
| 4 | Under the “Interactions” section, tap on “View Liked Reels.” |
| 5 | You will see a list of all the reels you’ve liked. Find the one you’re looking for and tap on it to view it. |
Utilizing the “Explore” Section for Past Reels
Instagram’s “Explore” section provides a curated feed tailored to your interests. To locate a previously watched reel, follow these steps:
- Tap the “Explore” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down to the “Reels” section.
- Select the “Recent Reels” tab.
- Browse the list of reels until you find the one you’re looking for.
- Tap the reel to view it again.
Detailed Explanation:
- Accessing the "Explore" Section: Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen to open the "Explore" tab.
- Navigating to the "Reels" Section: Scroll down the "Explore" page until you see the "Reels" section, indicated by a circular icon with the word "Reels."
- Selecting the "Recent Reels" Tab: Within the "Reels" section, tap the "Recent Reels" tab to view a chronologically-ordered list of recent reels.
- Browsing for the Target Reel: Scroll through the "Recent Reels" list until you find the reel you’re seeking.
- Re-viewing the Reel: Tap the reel to open it and watch it once again.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tap the “Explore” icon. |
| 2 | Scroll down to the “Reels” section. |
| 3 | Select the “Recent Reels” tab. |
| 4 | Browse the “Recent Reels” list. |
| 5 | Tap the reel to re-view it. |
Scrolling Through Your Past Reels Feed
Here’s a step-by-step guide to scrolling through your past Reels feed:
1. Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture at the bottom right corner to access your profile.
2. Under your profile picture, tap on the “Posts” tab.
3. Scroll down the page to find the “Reels” section.
4. Tap on the “All” tab at the top of the Reels section.
5. Your past Reels will be displayed in chronological order.
6. You can also use the filters below the “All” tab to refine your search. For example:
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| Liked | Shows Reels that you have liked. |
| Saved | Shows Reels that you have saved. |
| Comments | Shows Reels that you have commented on. |
| Sent | Shows Reels that you have sent to others. |
7. To view a specific Reel, simply tap on it to open it in full screen.
Accessing Reels Shared in Your Direct Messages
If you’ve received a reel in a direct message (DM), you can view it by:
- Opening the DM.
- Tapping the reel preview.
- The reel will open in a full-screen view.
You can also save the reel to your device by tapping the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and selecting “Save Reel.” Saved reels can be found in your gallery or the “Saved” tab of your profile.
Viewing Reels Shared in Group Chats
Reels shared in group chats can be viewed in the following ways:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Tap the reel preview | Opens the reel in a full-screen view |
| Long-press the reel preview | Brings up a menu with options to save or report the reel |
| Swipe down on the reel preview | Minimizes the reel and returns you to the group chat |
Saved reels can be accessed from your gallery or the “Saved” tab of your profile.
Exploring Alternative Methods for Finding Reels
If searching through your history or using the reels tab doesn’t yield results, there are a few alternative methods you can try:
Check Your Liked Reels
Liked reels are stored in a separate section within your profile. To access them:
| Steps |
|---|
|
Explore Reels Related to Your Interests
Instagram’s algorithm recommends reels based on your activity, so you can try exploring reels related to topics you’re interested in.
| Steps |
|---|
|
Browse Reels from Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to find reels on specific topics. To browse reels from a hashtag:
| Steps |
|---|
|
Use Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party apps that allow you to search for and save reels. Some popular options include:
- Instasave
- Reels Downloader
- Repost for Instagram
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Viewing Reels
9. Reel Not Loading or Displaying
Check your internet connection:
Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Reels rely on an active internet connection to load and display.
Refresh the page:
Sometimes, refreshing the page can resolve temporary loading issues. Simply reload the webpage or app to attempt to load the reel again.
Clear your browser cache:
An outdated browser cache can interfere with loading reels. Clear your cache by following the instructions for your browser.
Close and reopen the app:
If you’re using an app to view reels, closing it and then reopening it can help resolve any temporary glitches.
Restart your device:
Restarting your device can clear any background processes that may be interfering with the loading of reels.
Disable ad blockers:
Some ad blockers may prevent reels from loading properly. Disable any ad blockers you have installed to see if it resolves the issue.
Check for updates:
Make sure you’re using the latest version of your browser or app. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve loading issues.
Contact support:
If none of the above solutions resolve the issue, contact the support team for the platform you’re using. They can help you troubleshoot further.
1. Optimize Your Viewing Experience
To optimize your reel viewing experience, consider the following tips:
- Use a stable internet connection: A strong and reliable internet connection is essential for smooth reel playback.
- Keep your device updated: Regularly update your device’s software to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with the latest reel features.
- Clear your cache and cookies: Periodically clear your device’s cache and cookies to improve browsing speed and prevent playback issues.
- Reduce background activity: Close unnecessary apps and tabs to minimize background activity that can interfere with reel viewing.
- Adjust video quality settings: If experiencing buffering or slow playback, try adjusting the video quality settings to a lower resolution.
- Use a dedicated reel viewer app: For a more immersive and distraction-free viewing experience, consider using a dedicated reel viewer app.
2. Finding a Reel You’ve Already Viewed
To find a reel you’ve previously viewed:
- Visit your profile: Go to your profile and tap the “Reels” tab to see a list of your recently viewed reels.
- Check your history: Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the reel player and select “View History” to see a list of previously viewed reels.
- Search for the reel: Use the search bar at the top of the Reels page to search for a specific reel using keywords or the creator’s username.
3. Saving Reels for Later Viewing
To save a reel for later viewing:
- Tap the bookmark icon: Tap the bookmark icon in the bottom right corner of the reel player to save the reel to your saved reels.
- Create a collection: You can create collections to organize your saved reels. Tap the “Collections” tab on your profile and create a new collection or add the reel to an existing one.
| Option | Steps |
|---|---|
| View History | Go to your profile > Tap “Reels” tab > Tap “View History” |
| Search | Tap “Search” icon > Enter keywords or username |
| Bookmark | Tap “Bookmark” icon on reel player > Save to “Saved Reels” |
| Collections | Go to “Collections” tab on profile > Create or select a collection |
How to Get View a Reel Again
If you’ve lost track of a Reel you want to watch again, there are a few ways to find it.
- Check your profile. Reels you’ve created or saved will appear in a tab on your profile page.
- Search for the Reel. You can search for Reels by keyword or username in the Explore tab.
- Ask the creator. If you know who created the Reel, you can message them and ask for a link.
People Also Ask About How to Get View a Reel Again
How to save a Reel so I can watch it later?
To save a Reel, tap the bookmark icon in the bottom right corner of the video. The Reel will be saved to your profile and you can watch it later by going to your profile and tapping the Reels tab.
How do I share a Reel with someone?
To share a Reel, tap the share icon in the bottom left corner of the video. You can then share the Reel to your story, feed, or via direct message.
Can I download a Reel?
Yes, you can download a Reel to your phone. To do this, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the video and then tap “Save video”. The Reel will be saved to your camera roll.
