Mail search not working after Big Sur install

In the previous iteration of macOS, when you started searching it defaulted to the current folder, but there was a button you could click somewhere near the top (can't recall where, and all of my computers have now been updated to Big Sur) that would allow you to toggle exactly which folder or folders you were searching.

I don't see how you can "not select a folder" to easily facilitate a search of all folders. Each time I launch Mail there is always a folder selected (I think the last folder I had selected when I last closed Mail).

It only searches the selected mailbox for me, unfortunately. Maybe it's because I'm on Office365 for email service? This is on my work computer. Haven't noted how search works on my home computers, where I used iCloud email accounts.

Maybe, I use Office 365 at work but not with Apple Mail.

It does initially search the selected mailbox(es) for me. But I soon as I start typing in the search box, I see the all mailboxes option. I guess you could just select one or more folders, although may not be as convenient.

You could perhaps set up a smart mailbox which you should be able to customise to meet your needs.

In a strange turn of events, I tried what __gabe__ mentioned above and it worked. Now, when I start typing in the search box, Mail searches all mailboxes/folders. However, now I can't search a specific mailbox/folder, not even if I click on a folder before starting the search. Apple, fix your junk before releasing it!!

I read various replies. Decided to modify the items in the Mail header (sorry my langage is not correct) and moved the search button to a visible place. And hey presto - the search button is now working.

Thanks for the tip - Selecting all the folders in my mail box with a shift click, i was able to instantly find the emails i was searching for. If I don't do the shift click, I get zero results. So this works, but this behaviour is really inconvenient. And its different from pervious mail versions.

used to be able to click the master "inbox" folder only which would search all subfolders... 😢

That's interesting, por13. When I switched users, search worked for the other user. But still not for me (after switching back) - until after a restart.

And now, after switching back, search does not work for me. That definitely feels like a bug.

Tried this one out. Indeed. After switching back mail search didn't work anymore.

Disabling indexing/reboot/enabling indexing and it works again. Definitely a bug, since we can recreate the problem with a sequence of steps.

tx

I contacted Apple and they advise it's not a known bug. They suggested doing a SMC reset, which I've tried.

That seemed to work initially. But, guess what - after switching users, no!

I can get it to work again with a simple restart. I didn't do anything else and all is well - for now!

I would suggest that we will only get a permanent solution if everyone reports it to Apple. If they get loads of support requests, then they might do something about it.

I had that problem but after rebooting, the search icon appeared. Now, whenever I do a search in mail, the other messages in any folders are gone - only the applicable searched items show. I have to close out the mail app and reopen to see all my messages. That is annoying . . .

It's always been that way for me. At least as long as I can remember. Just reading all these posts makes it sound like there are several different pieces of code for this and you kinda sorta randomly get one according to the lunar cycle and the direction you're facing or something.

How do we Mail Users get notified by Apple that they have recognised and taken ownership of the bug (bug id .....?), and an indication by when a fix can be expected. ?

This discussion could go on forever if they're is no official "Apple Support "bug recognition and advice".

And save our time wasted by all of us in the Apple user crowd trying various solutions which are not working satisfactorily and never will without a fix,

I called Apple Support and the technician I spoke with did not seem to have ever heard of this bug. She put me on hold for a couple of minutes. Then she suggested I reinstall Big Sur. I did that. But the same problem exists. After switching users and then returning to my main user account I need to restart the computer to get the Mail Search function working again. Very inconvenient to say the least. I will report this failure directly to the Apple Support team now that I have a Case Number. I would advise anyone else with this problem to report it through the Apple Support service.

Thanks for keeping us informed when Apple Support service come up with some concrete acknowledgement of the issue and resolution..

There certainly seems to be enough "noise" around these issues for them to have been escalated beyond first level Apple Support.

Suggesting "reinstall Big Sur" is the Windows equivalent of "have you tried rebooting" !

Ironically, rebooting does seem to work - for a while!

First line support told me there is no known problem. Of course, the issue might not be affecting that many people - a few reports on here but is it affecting everyone? Or does it depend on certain factors?