Sonoma - Folder Search Not Working - 'This Mac' Search Works

I have both a MacBook Air M2 and a new iMac M3 both with Sonoma 14.2.1 and it appears I have the same issue as hundreds of other Sonoma users.

When I try to search a folder, e.g. Documents, Photos, etc. using the search field in the upper left corner and even when I use a + sign to add more search parameters, NOTHING shows up. BUT, if I switch to "This Mac" the search works as desired. This also fails when I try to create a Smart Folder (same interface).

I've tried all the recommended Apple "fixes", e.g. rebuild the Spotlight index by blocking and then unblocking the target folders. The Terminal solutions don't work either as ".Spotlight-V100" doesn't exist or I don't have permissions or something.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jan 21, 2024 9:50 AM

Top-ranking reply

allen273

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Feb 10, 2024 9:43 AM

Just wanted to drop another upvote here for DonnieM51's solution - I was having the EXACT same problem - Spotlight search would work on This Mac but not inside any folders.

But this: "navigate in the Finder to MacBook Air/Macintosh HD/System/Volumes/Macintosh HD, and then view hidden files by Shift-Command-Period, ".Spotlight-v100" shows up as hidden with a white minus in red circle. I then selected that hidden file, right-clicked and "Move to Trash" and it was deleted AND now my searches in folders WORKS!"

Worked like a charm. One restart later and it looks like folder search is restored as normal.

In my case the conditions were as follows: Purchased a new M3 MBP; used Migration Assistant to move my previous system (an M1 Mac Mini) via a current Time Machine backup; after a few days I noticed folder search wasn't working on the local drive (but curiously it still worked on external drives that had been indexed by the previous Mini). Search work on This Mac, but not in local folders. Annoying.

But yes, trashing the .Spotlight-v100 file (which showed 0 bytes) and restarting did the trick.

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32 replies

Apr 7, 2024 12:43 PM in response to DonnieM51

Thank you! this worked for me. Ridiculous that this rather important bug hasnt been patched yet.

Does this issue come back?

Jun 4, 2024 8:16 AM in response to lostbeataudio

This did not work for me.

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Sonoma - Folder Search Not Working - 'This Mac' Search Works