Search function not seeing files on external drives after switch to Catalina

I'm wondering whether anyone has experienced and resolved this issue. Since I installed Catalina I cannot search for files on external drives as if nothing is indexed. Drives are mounted.

Thank you.

Mac Pro, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 3, 2020 7:30 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 7, 2020 4:36 PM

Domtopolis Said:

"This is where it brings me after running First Aid. No changes in terms of file search."

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You need to allow Spotlight to index the volume. Using the Privacy Tab, add the hard drive into it (drag-and-drop). Then remove it(Hight Light it, then press "-" button).

Go Here: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac.


Or...


As an alternative, use this: Find any File. It is found in the Apple Store.


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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 7, 2020 4:36 PM in response to Domtopolis

Domtopolis Said:

"This is where it brings me after running First Aid. No changes in terms of file search."

------


You need to allow Spotlight to index the volume. Using the Privacy Tab, add the hard drive into it (drag-and-drop). Then remove it(Hight Light it, then press "-" button).

Go Here: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac.


Or...


As an alternative, use this: Find any File. It is found in the Apple Store.


May 7, 2020 2:56 PM in response to Domtopolis

Domtopolis Said:

"Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately neither one of those things worked. It does see files on the Mac itself but not on any external drives."

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You are welcome.


Try Running First Aid...

  1. Go To: Applications
  2. Click: Utilities
  3. Open: Disk Utilities
  4. Right-Click: on the external Hard Drive
  5. Select: Run First Aid...
  6. Click: Run button, if you yield to run it.

See if the Drive is Fixed in any Manor.


Screenshot of Disk Utilities:

May 3, 2020 8:14 PM in response to Domtopolis

Domtopolis Said:

"Search function not seeing files on external drives after switch to Catalina: I'm wondering whether anyone has experienced and resolved this issue. Since I installed Catalina I cannot search for files on external drives as if nothing is indexed. Drives are mounted. Thank you."

-------


Two Thoughts:

  • Search with Spotlight on Mac: (hold down “command” button and then press and release the “space Bar”. Next, type a name of one of these items, seeing if it pops up)

Or...

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Search function not seeing files on external drives after switch to Catalina

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