How to Watch Recently Watched Videos on Facebook App in 2025

  • By Farrukh Mushtaq

    Farrukh Mushtaq

    Author Image

    Farrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.

    See author profile
  • 11 March 2025
  • 14 mins read

Facebook makes it easy to browse and watch videos, but finding a video you recently watched can sometimes be challenging, especially with frequent app updates. Here are some methods to try:

Method 1: Accessing Watch History via Activity Log

  1. Open the Facebook app on your iOS or Android device.
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top right corner (Android) or bottom right corner (iOS).
  3. Tap on your name at the top of the page to access your profile.
  4. Tap on the three dots (⋮) under your profile picture and choose Activity Log from the options.
  5. Scroll down to Logged Actions and Other Activity, then tap on Videos Watched.
  6. You will see a list of all the videos you have recently watched. You can scroll through this list to find specific videos.

Method 2: Using the Watch Tab (iOS)

  1. Launch the app on your iOS device.
  2. Select the Watch icon (video player symbol) located in the bottom menu.
  3. Tap on your profile icon within the Watch tab.
  4. Choose the History option, which will display a library of all videos you have watched, including Reels and clips.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Facebook Watch History

If you can’t find your recently watched videos on Facebook, don’t worry—you’re not the only one. Facebook often changes its layout, which can move features or make them hard to find. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

1. I Can’t Find the 'Videos Watched' Option in My Activity Log

  • Make sure your Facebook app is updated to the latest version. Older versions may not all features.
  • Try accessing the Activity Log from a desktop browser instead of the mobile app.
  • If the option is missing, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Activity Log, then search for "Videos Watched" manually.

2. My Facebook Watch History Is Empty

  • Facebook only records videos watched when you’re logged into your account. If you watched videos while logged out, they won’t appear.
  • Some videos, especially sponsored content or external links, might not be saved in your watch history.
  • If you recently cleared your Facebook activity or enabled automatic data deletion, your history may no longer be available.

3. The 'Watch' Icon Is Missing from My Facebook App

  • On some versions of the Facebook app, the Watch tab has been relocated. Try tapping the three-line menu (☰) > Videos on Watch.
  • If the Watch tab isn’t available, use the Search bar and enter the name of the video or page you were watching.

4. I Can’t Find Videos Watched on iOS, but It’s Available on Android

  • Facebook sometimes rolls out features gradually across different operating systems. Try accessing Facebook via a web browser on your iPhone.
  • Uninstall and reinstall the app to refresh your interface and settings.

5. Facebook Watch History Is Not Updating

  • Check if Facebook’s servers are down. If there’s an outage, you may experience issues with history updates.
  • Log out and back into your account to refresh your activity log.
  • If you're using a third-party privacy tool or browser extension, it may be blocking Facebook’s tracking mechanisms. Temporarily disable such tools and check again.

If all else fails, consider reaching out to Facebook Help Center for further assistance.

Are You Being Tracked While Watching Videos on Facebook?

Facebook lets you see your watch history, but it also tracks what you watch. It uses this information to suggest videos, show ads, and learn about your interests. This can be a privacy concern if you want to keep your online activity private.

How Facebook Uses Your Watch History

  • Ad Targeting: Facebook tracks your video views to show ads related to your interests.
  • Algorithm Training: Your watch history influences the type of content that appears in your feed.
  • Data Sharing: Facebook may share your activity data with third parties, including advertisers and partners.

How to Limit Facebook from Tracking Your Watch History

If you want to take control of your privacy, here are some steps to reduce Facebook’s data collection:

  1. Clear Your Watch History Regularly
  • Go to Activity Log > Logged Actions and Other Activity > Videos Watched
  • Tap Clear Video Watch History to remove all past activity.
  1. Adjust Your Privacy Settings
  • Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity.
  • Disable “Allow Facebook to Track Activity” to prevent tracking beyond the app.
  1. Use a Privacy Manager 
  • PurePrivacy helps you manage and control your social media privacy settings.
  • Monitoring your exposed personal data on the dark web, PurePrivacy alerts you if your information is compromised.
  • With built-in tracker blocking, PurePrivacy prevents third-party data collection while you are browsing.

Discover if Your Most Critical Identifiers Have Been Exposed on the Dark Web

Receive timely alerts and actionable insights with PurePrivacy's Dark Web Monitoring.

Check if your email is on the dark web.

Please enter a valid email.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How can I watch previously watched videos on the Facebook app?

    Plus

    You can find your recently watched videos by going to Activity Log > Logged Actions & Other Activity > Videos Watched. Alternatively, if you frequently use Facebook Watch, you can check your watch history under the Watch tab.

  • Where is my Facebook Watch history?

    Plus

    Your Facebook Watch history is stored in your Activity Log. To access it:
    Open the Facebook app and tap on the three-line menu (☰).
    Go to Settings & Privacy > Activity Log.
    Scroll down to Logged Actions & Other Activity, then select Videos Watched.

  • Why can’t I find my Facebook Watch history?

    Plus

    If your watch history isn’t appearing, consider these possibilities:
    Facebook may have moved the feature in a recent update.
    You may have cleared your watch history, either manually or through automatic data deletion.
    If you watched videos while logged out, they won’t be recorded in your history.
    Facebook may not save all video views, especially if they were played outside the platform.

  • Does Facebook track my watch history for advertising?

    Plus

    Yes, Facebook uses your watch history to personalize your feed and show targeted ads. If you watch videos about a specific topic, you may start seeing related ads. To limit ad targeting, adjust your privacy settings under Settings & Privacy > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity.

  • How do I clear my Facebook Watch history?

    Plus

    To delete your watch history:
    Open Facebook and go to the Activity Log.
    Select Videos Watched under Logged Actions & Other Activity.
    Tap Clear Video Watch History to remove all saved videos.

  • Can I disable Facebook from saving my watch history?

    Plus

    Facebook doesn’t provide an option to disable watch history tracking entirely, but you can regularly clear your history and adjust your privacy settings to limit data collection.

Manage Your Facebook Wisely!

It's easy to find those amazing videos you have previously watched on Facebook. The Facebook app allows you to examine your viewing history. 

You can either check your activity log and filter for "Videos Watched" or, if you mostly watch content from the Watch area, access your watch history straight from your profile within Watch. 

So, no more wondering which video piqued your interest; Facebook has you covered!