since updating to iOS 26 I can’t search for anything in settings. Even if I search for a word I can see on the screen like battery it says “no results”I have switched of phone and restarted it but it still does not work. It was fine before the update. Any advice?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Search in Settings
iPhone 16, iOS 26
mike_kr wrote:
I have the same problem on iOS26.2. None of the suggestions here worked for me. Toggling the settings in Search, toggling the beta on off. Or reset.
Fixed! Spotlight Search
After days of frustration (tried restarts, toggling settings, language change, even full erase & restore – nothing worked), I finally fixed the Spotlight bug where it only finds apps but nothing else (no deep settings, contacts, messages, photos, etc.).
The combo that actually worked:
1. Changed iPhone Language to English (US) (Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language).
2. Went to Settings > Siri & Search.
3. Turned OFF every single option at the top (Suggest Apps Before Searching, Allow Notifications, Show in App Library, Show When Sharing, Show Listening Suggestions).
4. Then, for every individual app in the list below, turned OFF all options (Show App in Search, Show Content in Search, etc.).
5. Restarted the phone.
6. Spotlight immediately started showing deep results again (settings shortcuts, etc.).
7. Turned all the individual app search options back ON (while still on US English).
8. Restarted again and left it on Wi-Fi for a bit – everything still working perfectly.
9. Finally switched language back to English (UK) – restarted – and it’s still 100% fixed.
This seems to fully force-rebuild the corrupted content index that gets stuck on some devices.
(iOS 26.2 iphone 16 Pro Max
Had the same issue on my 17 pro. Followed those steps, and it fixed it completely! Thanks for your contribution!
I think I’m down to just waiting until the os fixes it because spending all day toggling this stuff in hope is such a waste of time.
I just toggled the settings one and everything else fell into place.
Bought in October 2025, 16 PM, 512GB
Please check the following settings. Please see the pic below, which is self-explanatory.
Frogmirth wrote:
I had this problem but was able to fix it by contacting Apple Support. The fix suggested was to Reset All Settings.
Kindly go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, then tap "Reset All Settings
Did your Home Screen reset its layout?
Thanks I tried that but it did not work the search function still not working on settings and now I cant get into any of the apps in the settings menu I am hoping this will work in time.
I did contact Apple support before they can see the problem through screen sharing but their only solution was to erases the whole iPhone and restore from back up. I really don't want to that as I had to do it a few months ago for a different issues which it did not fix and its just annoying have to log back in to everything. I really wished I had stuck with my iPhone 13 and not bought this iPhone 16 as its been nothing but trouble but they keep telling me there is nothing wrong with my phone!
After the latest update to IOS 26, I went into Search, turned off Show Recent Searches, Show Related Content, and Help Apple Improve Search, and then turned them back on. The Search feature now works.
Update: this morning I suddenly get responses from the Settings Search window, but they are the responses as if I used the Home Screen Search window. A search for “Siri” answers with all the apps and info on my phone using that phrase, but does not answer with its use in the Settings menu. Someone replied that it takes a new phone a long time to index everything. I’ll be patient for a while and maybe it will heal itself. …like trying to get over a cold!
I have a lot of settings, networks, wallpapers etc - if I reset I’ll lose ALL of that. How about apple just make the search work properly instead!
Mine is now working I updated to IOS 26.0.1 and able to search again in the settings.
Nothing has still helped me.
Resolved with the method of toggling under Search the two Show Recent Searches and Show Related Content OFF and ON per Soulsurvivorla66 post. This didn't work under 26 but now does.
Wow. Thanks much. This indeed fixed the problem for me. It started to work already halfway through point 4 of your guide. Again thanks much for this. It was driving me crazy.
This worked for my new iPhone 17 Pro. Thank you!
iOS 26 search in iPhone Settings not working
