Facebook Reels history is stored separately from your general watch history, and you can clear it in your account settings

Facebook tracks which Reels you watch and uses that data to recommend new ones. Unlike your general Facebook history, Reels history lives in a specific place in your settings and requires its own deletion step. Clearing it removes the record that you watched those videos, though Facebook may still keep other data tied to your account — like the fact that you were active at a certain time.

The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on phone and desktop, though the menu locations differ slightly. Once you clear Reels history, the recommendations you see should shift, because Facebook no longer knows which videos you've already watched.

Key Takeaways

  • Reels history is stored in your account settings under "Your Information" or "Settings and Privacy," not in your general watch history.
  • Clearing Reels history removes the videos from your recommendation feed but does not delete the videos themselves or prevent Facebook from collecting future viewing data.
  • You can clear all Reels history at once or delete individual videos from your history one at a time.
  • Clearing this history does not affect your other Facebook data, such as posts you've made, messages, or photos you've uploaded.

How to clear all Reels history on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings." Look for "Your Information" — this is where Facebook stores data about your activity.

Tap "Your Information," then find and tap "Reels." You should see a list of Reels you've watched, with the most recent at the top. At the top or bottom of this list, look for a button that says "Clear All" or "Delete All." Tap it, and Facebook will ask you to confirm. Confirm the deletion, and your Reels history is cleared.

How to clear all Reels history on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines or a downward arrow) in the top right corner. Click "Settings and Privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side of the screen, you should see a menu — look for "Your Information" or scroll down until you find it.

Click "Your Information," then look for "Reels" in the list of activity types. Click on it to see your Reels history. At the top of the list, you should see a "Clear All" or "Delete All" button. Click it and confirm when Facebook asks you to verify.

Deleting individual Reels from your history

If you only want to remove specific Reels instead of clearing everything, you can delete them one at a time. On your phone, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Your Information > Reels, just as you would to clear all history. Instead of tapping "Clear All," scroll through the list and find the Reel you want to remove.

Tap the three-dot menu icon next to that Reel, then tap "Remove from History" or "Delete." Repeat this for each video you want to remove. On a computer, the process is the same — find the Reel, click the three-dot menu, and select "Remove from History."

What clearing Reels history actually does and does not do

Clearing your Reels history tells Facebook to forget which videos you watched. This changes the recommendations you see — Facebook will no longer use those videos to decide what to show you next. However, clearing history does not delete the Reels themselves, and other people can still see them if they search or if you shared them.

Clearing Reels history also does not stop Facebook from collecting new data about what you watch going forward. Every Reel you watch after clearing your history will be tracked and used for recommendations again. If you want to prevent Facebook from tracking future Reels, you would need to adjust your ad preferences or data settings, which is a separate process from clearing history.

Why Facebook tracks Reels history

Facebook uses your Reels history to build a profile of your interests and show you videos similar to ones you've already watched. This data also feeds into Facebook's advertising system — advertisers can target people based on the types of content they engage with. The longer your history, the more accurate Facebook's recommendations become.

Clearing your history does not opt you out of this tracking. It straightforward resets the recommendation algorithm, so Facebook has to start learning your preferences again from scratch. If you watch Reels regularly, your history will rebuild quickly.

Other ways to control what Facebook knows about your Reels

Beyond clearing history, you can adjust how Facebook uses your Reels data. In Settings, look for "Ad Preferences" or "Ads" — this section lets you see which interests Facebook has assigned to you based on your activity, including Reels. You can remove interests that are inaccurate or that you do not want advertisers to use.

You can also limit data collection by adjusting your privacy settings. Some people choose to clear their Reels history regularly — weekly or monthly — rather than waiting until it builds up. Others clear it before sharing their phone or computer with someone else, so their viewing habits remain private.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing Reels history delete the videos I watched?

No. Clearing your history removes the record that you watched those videos, but the videos themselves stay on Facebook. Other people can still find and watch them, and creators can still see how many views their Reels received.

Will clearing Reels history affect my other Facebook data?

No. Your posts, messages, photos, and other activity remain unchanged. Clearing Reels history only affects the recommendations you see and does not touch any other part of your account.

Can I see my Reels history after I clear it?

Once you clear your history, it is gone from that section of your settings. However, if you watched a Reel and commented on it or liked it, those interactions may still be visible in your activity log or on the creator's page.

Does clearing Reels history stop Facebook from tracking me?

No. Clearing history only removes past data. Facebook will continue to track which Reels you watch going forward and use that information for recommendations and advertising. To limit tracking, you would need to adjust your ad preferences or privacy settings separately.

How often should I clear my Reels history?

That depends on your preference. Some people clear it weekly or monthly for privacy reasons, while others never clear it. There is no technical reason to clear it regularly — it does not slow down your phone or account. Clear it whenever you want a fresh start with recommendations or before sharing your device.