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Big Sur on iMac: Spotlight re indexing at each reboot

Hi

I updated my iMac 27" (2017) (FusionDrive) to Big Sur mid-October. After troubles with the Fusion Drive (I had to recreate it), I have been able to install Big Sur, and moved my accounts and apps from a Time Machine backup.

Since then, I noticed that the Mac is very slow, and it seems to rebuild the Spotlight index from scratch at each boot! Which is also very slow (5-6 hours).

Does anyone has an idea what is wrong?

Thanks in advance

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 7:55 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 6, 2020 1:14 PM

Hi sylvaink,


Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today. It sounds like after installing Big Sur, Spotlight reindexes every time the Mac boots up.


Have you tried forcing a rebuild without the reboot? Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac.


What happens if you boot up in safe mode? Start up your Mac in safe mode.


Let us know further details.


Have a fantastic day!


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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 6, 2020 1:14 PM in response to sylvaink

Hi sylvaink,


Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today. It sounds like after installing Big Sur, Spotlight reindexes every time the Mac boots up.


Have you tried forcing a rebuild without the reboot? Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac.


What happens if you boot up in safe mode? Start up your Mac in safe mode.


Let us know further details.


Have a fantastic day!


Dec 6, 2020 1:24 PM in response to sylvaink

Every time macOS, including Big Sur boots, it will re-index Spotlight, and Time Machine will inherently run Spotlight for itself. There are considerable other customary (and necessary) system housekeeping chores that are initiated on a fresh boot, and these will (or should) all run their course within a few minutes. During this window, you will be painfully reminded of that slow Fusion drive choice over a much faster SSD.


Dec 17, 2020 12:13 AM in response to MichaelB2019

Dear MickaelB2019

Thank you for the advice. I did all of that, and it seems indeed that the system is more stable. At least it boots normally, and the Spotlight indexing stopped starting after each boot.

However, I can only confirm the slowness of the Fusion Drive, and especially since upgrading to Big Sur. Booting takes about 5 minutes, login 4-5 additional minutes. Then each software launch can last for long minutes as well... I like the iMac, but this Fusion Drive really is a pity.


Big Sur on iMac: Spotlight re indexing at each reboot

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