iPhone apps not in Spotlight on new Mac, macOS 26.1

On my computer, I have to click the "Applications" button in the Spotlight search, then scroll past the one line of (I guess) recent apps, then past "Other" and then I see "iPhone apps".

Yes and the shortcut to this is launching the Application Window. Also, yes I believe in macOS 26.1, there is a section added for. and titled "iPhone Apps".

After typing the name of the app, if you backspace, you'll get a standard "x" clear button in the search field. Go ahead and try clicking on it. Nothing happens.

Yes I can confirm this too.

But if you can see your iPhone apps, then all you have to do is double-click on the app.

That's the issue, i.e my original post. I suspect you have been macOS prior to v26, probably upgraded from macOS 15?

If you are referring to the Applications folder in Finder, iPhone apps do not appear here. I have however, tried similar methods e.g., launching some apps either on the iPhone itself as well as within the iPhone Mirroring.

My concern remains however, is macOS 26.1 breaking this expected behaviour. If it is, customers purchasing a MacBook will not see any of there iPhone apps when connecting to iCloud and activating iPhone Mirroring.

I am making an assumption here and that is iPhone Mirroring needs to be activated in order for your iPhone apps to be visible for Spotlight to find. This would make sense since when activating it, the part of the simple setup states this feature will be available. Apart from that, my main issue is that Spotlight is not finding iPhone apps, but is this the requirement to ensure both devices are connected to iCloud as well as activating iPhone Mirroring?

There is no documentation that I can find what needs to be in place (and perhaps also the order), so perhaps it was a feature rushed through without much flushing out of various scenarios that need to be considered. I am saying this also because I can see the grid view in the Application Window have some separation lines. The first one is for the first row and appear to be the most recent apps (not titled) that were opened, then an other section showing the bulk of the apps (not titled), then another section titled Utilities.

I do indeed, this is what I was referring to i.e., Spotlight filters.

Have you been using iPhone Mirroring on that Mac prior to or since macOS 26? If it was since OS 26.0.0 or 26.0.1, have you then upgraded to macOS 26.1?

Thanks, yes both of my MacBooks are being used in the available region.