PoppyDoggie

Q: Notes search doesn't find notes

Since I upgraded to 9.1, the search feature in the Notes app does not find notes. I have a ton of notes and I use the search feature all the time. Is this a known issue? If search isn't going to work, It would be helpful if I could at least sort the notes in alphabetical order.

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.1, Notes App

Posted on Nov 14, 2015 7:47 AM

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Q: Notes search doesn't find notes

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  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Nov 15, 2015 4:21 PM in response to PoppyDoggie
    Community Specialists
    Nov 15, 2015 4:21 PM in response to PoppyDoggie

    Hello PoppyDoggie,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    From your post, I understand that search in Notes is not functioning the way you would expect. To begin troubleshooting this situation, there are two different troubleshooting steps that I would recommend. 

     

    First, I would suggest quitting the Notes app completely using the instructions located in the following article. 

     

    Force an app to close in iOS - Apple Support

     

    After Notes has been closed, the next step is to restart your iPhone. The instructions for performing a restart are located in the next article. 

     

    Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

     

    After your iPhone finishes booting back on after the restart, open Notes fresh and test out the search function to make sure it is working properly. 

     

    Cheers!

  • by PoppyDoggie,

    PoppyDoggie PoppyDoggie Nov 16, 2015 4:09 AM in response to joe_7399
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 16, 2015 4:09 AM in response to joe_7399

    Thanks but that didn't work. The search seems to be looking all over my phone for the word I input, because it is returning results, but it's not finding results within the Notes app. The search was working fine before the latest update. Frustrating. Is this a known issue? Is there a way to sort the notes in alphabetical order at least? That would make it easier to find what I'm looking for.

  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Nov 16, 2015 5:34 AM in response to PoppyDoggie
    Community Specialists
    Nov 16, 2015 5:34 AM in response to PoppyDoggie

    Greetings PoppyDoggie,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    Thank you for replying with this information. I misunderstood the question and though you were asking about searching within the Notes application. If Spotlight Search is not returning any results from Notes, first make sure that Notes is enabled to reveal results when performing a Spotlight Search. This process is outlined in the following article. 

     

    Change search settings 

    Go to Settings > General > Spotlight Search.

    From here, you can turn Siri Suggestions on or off and choose which apps to include in your searches. For example, if you don’t want to see search results from your Messages app, you can deselect Messages.

    If you don’t want Siri or Spotlight to suggest nearby locations, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Then tap System Services and turn off Safari & Spotlight Suggestions.

     

    Use Search on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

     

    Have a great day!

  • by PoppyDoggie,

    PoppyDoggie PoppyDoggie Nov 16, 2015 6:16 AM in response to joe_7399
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 16, 2015 6:16 AM in response to joe_7399

    Notes were already enabled. still no help.

  • by joe_7399,Solvedanswer

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Nov 17, 2015 8:54 AM in response to PoppyDoggie
    Community Specialists
    Nov 17, 2015 8:54 AM in response to PoppyDoggie

    Hi PoppyDoggie,

     

    Thank you for replying again to let us know the issue continues. Because none of the previous troubleshooting has helped, the next step I suggest is to completely reinstall the operating system on your iPhone. 

     

    This should not affect any of your data, but before you begin, I would suggest creating a backup in either iCloud or iTunes. Having a current backup is always a great idea. 

     

    How to back up your devices using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support

     

    To reinstall the iPhone Operating System, please follow the steps from the If your device turns on but gets stuck during start up section in the following article. 

     

    1. Connect your device to a computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, you can borrow one, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help. 
    2. While your device is connected, force it to restart. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don't release when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding until you see the Recovery mode screen.
    3. When you get the option to restore or update, choose Update. iTunes will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data.

    iTunes will download the software for your device. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you'll need to repeat steps 2 and 3 again.

     

    If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't respond or won't turn on - Apple Support

     

    Best!

  • by PoppyDoggie,

    PoppyDoggie PoppyDoggie Nov 17, 2015 8:55 AM in response to joe_7399
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2015 8:55 AM in response to joe_7399


    I believe that did it! Thanks for your help, and staying with me until it was resolved!

  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Nov 20, 2015 6:24 AM in response to PoppyDoggie
    Community Specialists
    Nov 20, 2015 6:24 AM in response to PoppyDoggie

    Awesome!

     

    I'm glad to hear that the troubleshooting you completed has resolved the Notes Spotlight Search issue! 

     

    Cheers