[Solved] How to Fix Spotlight Search Not Working on iPhone

November 19, 2019Nicole Jones

Spotlight Search is a very convenient feature that enables you to quickly search for and locate everything on your iPhone. For instance, you can easily type the first few letters in Spotlight Search to get what your want. However, many iOS users complained that the Spotlight Search not working on iPhone. Are you facing the same situation?

iPhone Spotlight Search Not Working

Spotlight Search not working or displaying inaccurate results on iPhone? After updating to the latest iOS 18/17, many iPhone users find that the Spotlight Search is not working properly on the iPhone or iPad. In many cases, when you start searching for an app or other things on Spotlight, nothing shows up. This short article will explain how to fix the iPhone Spotlight Search not working issue.

Part 1. Restart iPhone to Fix Spotlight Search Not Working

Spotlight Search offers a simple way to quickly find apps, documents, and other files on iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac. When you have lots of apps on your iOS device, it allows you to locate the specific app or file with ease. But sometimes, after inputting some letters, Spotlight Search shows nothing or any useful results. From this part, we will tell you how to fix the Spotlight Search not working on iPhone.

When you face some issues on your iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac, you should use the rebooting way to fix it first. After restarting, many problems will be solved by this simple operation. You can take the regular way to restart your iPhone.

Step 1.
Unlock iPhone and keep pressing the "Power" button.
Step 2.
When you see the "Slide to power off" appears on the screen, swipe the red power button from left to the right to turn off your iPhone. You can also go to "Settings" app and then tap "General" > "Shut Down" to do it.
Step 3.
Wait a few seconds and then press and hold the "Power" button to re-start your iOS device again.

Part 2. Update iOS to Fix iPhone Spotlight Search Not Working

Besides the rebooting way, another method to quickly solve all types of problems is the iOS updating. New iOS will fix many existing bugs in the old iOS version. So it is quite important to keep your iPhone updated with the latest iOS version.

Step 1.
Unlock iPhone and go to "Settings" app.
Step 2.
Tap "General" section and then enter the "Software Update" interface to check if there is an available iOS update. Here you can tap "Install Now" to update iOS to its latest version on your iPhone.
Update iOS

Part 3. Reset All Settings to Fix Spotlight Search Not Working on iPhone

When the Spotlight Search feature is found not working properly on your iPhone, you can choose to reset all the settings to fix it. By resetting all settings of iPhone, all settings will be back to the original and common condition.

Step 1.
Turn on your iPhone and open "Settings" app.
Step 2.
Tap "General" and then scroll down to locate the "Reset" option.
Step 3.
Tap on it to enter the reset interface. Here you can choose the "Reset All Settings" option to reset all your iPhone settings. During this step, you are required to enter the Apple passcode to confirm the operation.

Part 4. Erase All Content and Settings to Fix Spotlight Search Not Working

Similar to the third method, you can choose to erase all content and settings to bring your iPhone back to the original good condition. When the Spotlight search is not working normally on your iPhone, you can follow the steps below to erase all content and settings. Before you do that, you'd better backup iPhone data.

Step 1.
Unlock iPhone and open "Settings" app.
Step 2.
Similar to resetting all settings on iPhone, you need to go to "Reset" interface to do that. But here you need to choose the "Erase All Content and Settings" option.
Erase All Content And Settings iPhone

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Part 5. Professional Way to Fix Spotlight Search Not Working Issue [Recommended]

After trying the first 4 regular methods above, you have a big chance to fix Spotlight Search not working issue on your iPhone, iPad or iPod. But in some cases, the problem is still there, what should you do?

Actually, to fix iPhone Spotlight Search not working, you can rely on the professional solution. Here we strongly recommend the the powerful iPhone issues fixing software, iOS System Recovery for you. Within just a few clicks, you can handily get rid of this problem.

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Step 1.
iOS System Recovery provides you with both Windows and Mac versions to help you fix iPhone Spotlight Search not working issue. Here you can choose a right version and free download it.

Select the "iOS System Recovery" feature when you enter the first window. Then connect your iPhone to computer with a lightning USB cable. This iPhone issues fixing software can automatically detect your iOS device. But during this step, you need to tap "Trust this computer" on your iPhone screen first.

Interface
Step 2.
As it mentioned above, you need to put your iPhone into recovery mode or DFU mode for the fixing. There is detailed guide displayed in the main window.
Fix/Into Recovery Mode
Step 3.
iOS System Recovery is able to detect the specific iPhone model and other information of your iOS device. Here you need to confirm all the information is correct. Then click the "Repair" button to download the repaired plug-in and begin fixing Spotlight Search not working on iPhone.
Repairing

iOS System Recovery will automatically fix the iPhone Spotlight Search not working after the repaired plug-in downloading profess is finished. Your iPhone will reboot itself after the fixing. Then you can go to the Spotlight Search and check if the problem is solved.

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We have mainly talked about the Spotlight Search not working issue in this page. We shared 5 effective solutions to help you solve the problem and ensure the iPhone search feature work properly. If you still have any questions, don't hesitate to leave us a message.

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