After updating my MacBook Air to Sequoia, Spotlight search has stopped working

The following has resolved the issue on the MBA.

1. In the Terminal, type and run the command: `sudo -i`
2. Enter your administrator password and press Return.
3. Continue to run the commands: `mdutil -Ea` and then, `mdutil -ai off`
4. Enter the command `mdutil -ai on` and press Return, and you will see a message saying that indexing is enabled.

Now Spotlight is reindexing and applications are included in the search results.

I had the same issue with Macbook Pro M1 Max after update from 17.x to 18.1.

I solved it in this way:

Rebuild the Spotlight Index:

• Go to System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy.

• Drag your hard drive (usually named “Macintosh HD”) into the “Privacy” section to temporarily exclude it from indexing.

• Remove the hard drive from the list again. Spotlight will now start rebuilding the index.

just add to a data point. The problem is NOT fixed by reindexing on my new mac mini m4 pro with sequoia 15.1.1.

I just bought new mac mini m4 . The spotlight does not show any apps. Then, I did extensive search online and tried all possible solutions by running bunch of commands on terminal, add and remove disk from spotlight privacy settings, etc. OS did reindex fine and apps start showing up even before the reindexing complete.

HOWEVER, spotlight stop showing apps again after mac goes to sleep at night and wake up in the morning.

So, my solution so far is to reindex in every morning.

I'd like to hear if anyone still has issues with their mac and has a permanent solution.

Thanks much !

Same issue. Updated from 14.7.1 to 15.1 on Macbook Air M1, and Mac Mini M1. Spotlight no longer pulled up any applications, which is the main thing I use it for.

Did the privacy on / off trick, and that immediately resolved it.

I am having the same issue with the system preferences search on my MacBook Pro 14 (M1) after last night's upgrade to MacOS Sequoia 15.1.

Actually, it's only worked on the Mac Mini.

The MBA still has the same issue. Spotlight is finding documents, emails, and various other types of search results, but not Applications.

Is there anything else I can do?

I had the same issue, and adding and then removing the HD in the privacy settings seems to work, the index is rebuilding right now.

I also did a restart, but am not sure that's necessary.

It works once.

Spotlight does not work randomly.

Worked immediately! thank you for the hack!

it works ! Thanks for the hack.