Yes, it is possible to look at memories from a different day on Facebook. The social media platform has a feature called “On This Day” that resurfaces posts and photos from the same day in previous years. This allows users to reminisce about memories from that particular day, even if it wasn’t exactly one year ago.
There are a few different ways to access memories from a specific day on Facebook. Here are some tips:
Use the “On This Day” Feature
The easiest way is to use the “On This Day” feature on Facebook’s homepage or in the sidebar menu on desktop. This section will automatically showcase memories from the current day in previous years. All you have to do is click on a year to see posts and photos from that same day.
If you want to look at a different day, use the date picker at the top of the “On This Day” section. Click on the month and day to select a specific date, and you’ll instantly see memories from that day.
On Mobile
On the Facebook mobile app, tap on the menu icon and select “On This Day” to see memories from today. Then tap the date at the top to pick a different day of the year to reminisce.
On Desktop
On desktop, the “On This Day” section can be found on the right sidebar or by clicking “Memories” in the shortcut icons at the top. Use the date picker to choose a day.
Search for Past Posts
You can also search for your own past posts on a specific day. Go to your profile page and use the left sidebar to narrow down by date range. For example, entering “March 15, 2017” will show all posts from that exact day.
This search works for photos too. Use the Photos section under your profile menu and search for date ranges to see images from a particular day.
Search Tips
- Use the format “Month Day, Year” like “December 25, 2020”
- Only posts shared by you will appear in search results
- To see friends’ posts from a day, check their profiles individually
Browse the Activity Log
Your entire Facebook activity log contains every post, comment, like and more from your time on Facebook. Sift through it to rediscover moments from specific days.
On desktop, click the arrow at the top right and choose “Activity Log.” On mobile, go to “Settings & Privacy” then scroll down and select “Activity Log.” You can filter by date range to see your activity on a certain day.
Remember:
- Photos and posts will only appear if original privacy settings allow you to view them
- Deleted and expired stories do not appear in the log
- Activity is sorted chronologically, so you’ll have to scroll to find a particular day
Use Facebook Memories
Facebook Memories is a feature that privately curates and surfaces your meaningful posts for you to rediscover. It uses AI to highlight specific photos, life events, people and pets.
To use it, go to the Memories shortcut on mobile or desktop. Tap or click on a memory collection, and you’ll see relevant posts from the past grouped together by time period or person. This can jog your memory about certain days.
Tips for Browsing Memories:
- Collections span multiple days and years, so browse carefully
- Use the “All Memories” feed to scroll chronologically
- Look for memory highlights labeled with specific dates
Check Friends’ Timelines
If you want to see posts and photos from friends on a certain day in the past, you can browse their timelines.
Go to a friend’s profile and click on their photos or posts. Use the sidebar menu or options at the top to filter by date ranges and find posts from a specific day. You can also try searching their profile using the method above.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- You’ll only see timeline posts friends have shared publicly or with you
- Some posts may be hidden for privacy reasons
- Friends may have deleted old posts over time
Use the Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine from Archive.org lets you see old versions of websites across the internet. You can use it to view your Facebook timeline or friends’ profiles from a date in the past.
To use it, go to Archive.org and enter the Facebook URL you want to check. Choose a date range to see if archives are available. The Wayback Machine will load an older version of the page from its records.
Wayback Machine Tips:
- Snapshots are not available for all dates
- Archives may be incomplete due to website changes
- Some page elements or images may not load properly
Download Your Facebook Data
You can download an archive of your personal Facebook data for reference, including a complete record of your timeline posts and photos.
On desktop, click the down arrow at top right and select “Settings & Privacy.” On mobile, go to “Settings & Privacy” in the menu. Scroll down to “Your Facebook Information” and click “View.” Select “Download Your Information” to request an archive.
What’s in Your Facebook Archive:
- Every post, photo, video, story and comment you’ve shared
- Messages, reactions, and search history
- Ads and advertisers list
- People, Pages, and Groups you follow
You can conveniently search your Facebook archive to rediscover moments from specific days in your personal data.
Use External Tools
Some third-party tools and browser extensions can also help you view old Facebook data:
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Social Book Post Manager | Lets you browse your timeline by date and download posts |
| Archive Post | Saves snapshots of timeline posts to view offline |
| Timehop | Resurfaces social media posts from past days |
However, always check privacy policies and permissions before using third-party tools with your Facebook data.
Conclusion
Facebook provides a few handy tools for taking a trip down memory lane whenever you want. Use the “On This Day” feature, Activity Log, Memories, search, and your account archive to rediscover moments from specific days.
Browsing friends’ timelines, the Wayback Machine, and external tools can also help uncover older Facebook memories if used carefully. With so many options, you’re sure to feel nostalgic about the past!