TikTok watch history is being tested with some users 0f the app, making it much easier to locate lost video recommendations from your “For You” page.
- TikTok is working on a new feature that would let you find recommended videos that previously appeared on the “For You” page but you forgot to save or like.
- Watch history would solve the problem causing videos to be pushed down as new content is published on the platform.
- It’s being tested with a small number of TikTok users before it ultimately becomes more widely available or, which is also possible, scrapped altogether.
TikTok is testing watch history
An unreleased watch-history feature was found by Hammod Oh on Twitter. You’ll be able to view up to seven days of watch history on any particular device. A TikTok spokesperson told TechCrunch that “we’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience.” Watch history is an overdue feature that will definitely improve the experience, and by a large margin. Currently, the only way of retrieving your watch history involves downloading your TikTok data to access your video browsing history in a ZIP file.
You will be able to see your watch history for the last 7 days pic.twitter.com/TtXnjSnb4b
— Hammod Oh (@hammodoh1) March 29, 2022
How to find lost TikTok videos
Other users have created workarounds for finding video recommendations from the “For You” page that you didn’t have a chance to like or view. A video tutorial by TikTok user “rachforaday” walks you through one such workaround.
The video instructs users to go to the Discover page, click search, enter an asterisk, go to the search filters tab and toggle the “Watched Videos” button. Once you click apply, you’ll get a list of videos you’ve seen in the past seven days.
You’ll realize for yourself that such unofficial solutions are a major hassle to use on an everyday basis. When you think of it, it’s remarkable that TikTok has been able to become sure a hugely influential platform without providing such a basic feature as watch history. The lack of it is glaringly obvious to anyone who has spent a few minutes watching TikTok videos. Therefore, we applaud this new test from TikTok—better late than never! Read: How to toggle TikTok’s automatic video captions
When will TikTok watch history launch publicly?
If you’re included in the test, you should be able to find your watch history in the “Content and Activity” section within the TikTok settings right now. Don’t see the new entry? Then you’re probably not included in this test. So when can all users expect to use TikTok’s watch history in the mobile app for iOS and Android?
Well, these tests can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete so watch this space as we keep you informed. TikTok recently boosted upload length so now you can upload videos up to ten minutes long. The app works with Apple’s new SharePlay feature in iOS 15. TikTok is also testing a Snapchat Stories clone of its own. Read: How to narrate TikTok videos with a synthetic Siri-like voice