None of the search works in Big Sur Mail.app

Hi,

To me Big Sur Mail.app is next to useless as none of the search, nor smart mailbox works at all.

I upgraded then immediately noticed that none of my smart mailbox worked, they displayed a correct (?) number of unread message, but clicking on them, just makes the number disappear, and show no message at all, like if it were empty.

Then I tried searches, I took the eMail address of a colleague and it returned 2 results, after a long "Searching…" message occurred.

I rebuilt my spotlight index, then deleted all envelope files, then rebuild the database. No dice.

I even deleted the whole /Library/Mail folder, and after all my iMap mails were downloaded, still same issue.

I'm using a Google Gsuite email imap account, and an iCloud one, same issue

Posted on Nov 13, 2020 6:38 AM

Top-ranking reply

tomnh

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Mar 19, 2021 10:10 AM

I'm not sure if you have seen the posts but people have figured out its an issue with the process "corespotlightd" and the behavior starts if second (or third...) user has logged in and logged off on this same computer. To get search working again you need to restart this process, rebooting will do this, but an easier way is to open Activity Monitor, then search for this process under CPU, select it and click the X button at the top of the window and select quit. It will immediately restart and search should start working again (until a second user logs off again). This is much easier then rebooting, hope it helps.

View in context

Similar questions

89 replies

Jan 11, 2021 4:43 PM in response to Glitchtracker

Still a problem and annoying as ****. I always have to keep another mail application open so I can search.

Jan 14, 2021 2:32 AM in response to Yigal Arens

This has worked for me. Thank you! I note that for others this was only a temporary fix... I will update you if it breaks again. APPLE COME ON THIS IS BASIC.

@mr

Level 1

4 points

Jan 16, 2021 5:09 AM in response to NaomiLee93

Indeed.. 2 months after release, this basic, and frankly important, issue is not solved.

Jan 16, 2021 7:01 AM in response to philthehumanist

True it will work but when you have over 60,000 emails in 10 accounts so it takes much longer for me.

Feb 1, 2021 9:15 AM in response to ppson

This worked for me.

I also made sure I had more than 10% free on the Fusion drive.

As others have noted, the marked solution only works temporarily, if at all.

Feb 12, 2021 7:38 AM in response to GanawaGangunawa

I'm having the same problem. And it's happening in Notes now too. I can't search at all. This is devastating my workflow.

Feb 12, 2021 10:55 AM in response to GanawaGangunawa

Thanks! That gives some temporary relief indeed. Also searching in Notes works again then.

Feb 25, 2021 6:17 AM in response to Glitchtracker

have the same longstanding issue. Worthless!

Feb 27, 2021 1:53 AM in response to philthehumanist

another apple update (11.2.2) and another missed opportunity to fix this issue. I'm really getting fed up with the lack of support...

Mar 10, 2021 11:15 AM in response to philthehumanist

latest update 11.2.3

Still NOT FIXED. incredible....

Mar 31, 2021 4:31 AM in response to Glitchtracker

I don't know how to search for mail = I can't find a function option - I am new to this so need simple support

@mr

Level 1

4 points

Mar 31, 2021 6:12 AM in response to evelinefromlondon

Don't worry.. it doesn't work anyway. :-(

But if you open "Mail" the search box is in the top right corner.

Mar 31, 2021 8:38 AM in response to GanawaGangunawa

Yes - that's the script I posted above - but you have to keep doing it fairly often. When you do it eats up resources as well as it seems to need to reindex things some times.

Mar 31, 2021 10:29 AM in response to GanawaGangunawa

Oh right - yes. Thanks.

May 7, 2021 3:55 AM in response to Yigal Arens

Thank you, that solved the issue for me.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

None of the search works in Big Sur Mail.app