Level 1

33 points

How to fix Apple search functions not working on iOS 26.4.2?

ALL APPLE SEARCH FUNCTIONS NOT WORKING

currently on iOS 26.4.2 and for the past two-three weeks all my search functions whether it’s my spotlight search, internal key word email search, iMessage key word search, or photo keyword search. Anything related to a core Apple application can no longer search. I’ve tried numerous ways to fix this issue i.e hard reset, changing the langue then hard reset, shutting off all Siri settings, I’ve even had a full iOS update since this issue and that did not resolve it. I recently purchased more iCloud space thinking the back up was the issue but that also did not fix this issue. Any help would be much appreciated! I use my phone for work and the search features are extremely helpful to me so I’ve been struggling without them.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: ALL APPLE SEARCH FUNCTIONS NOT WORKING

iPhone 16, iOS 26

Posted on Apr 25, 2026 5:26 AM

52 replies

Jul 1, 2026 9:22 AM in response to user777

user777 wrote:

I recently upgraded to 26.5.2 on my iPhone SE 3rd generation. After the upgrade, I was unable to search Messages or Photo. In Messages, I received the messaged that indexing was not completed yet, but it had been several days so I assumed that waiting longer would not resolve it. After researching and trying different suggestions but nothing was helping, I downloaded and installed the Apple Support app so I could open a case with Apple. After installing the app and logging in, I clicked on my device in the list of devices on the home screen then selected Support Topics, More, Messages, Get More Help, Chat with Support. This initiated an AI assistant and I answered a few questions and followed the instructions. These steps resolved the issue for me: Settings >> Siri >> Apps >> Messages >> toggle off all options. There were 4 items I toggled off: Learn from this App, Show in App, Show on Home Screen, Suggest App. I toggled all of them off and did a hard reset. These steps resolved the issue for both Messages and Photos.

Thanks for that followup!

SravanKrA

Level 10

450,790 points

Apr 25, 2026 11:47 PM in response to K1ngcrab

Please check the following settings. Please take a look at the pic below which is self-explanatory.

K1ngcrab Author

Level 1

33 points

Apr 26, 2026 10:14 AM in response to SravanKrA

All of those setting are on, I’ve also toggled them off, hard reset, and then turned them back on and that doesn’t work either

K1ngcrab Author

Level 1

33 points

Apr 26, 2026 12:07 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes I have, it was an issue about 2 weeks before the latest iOS update and I did the most recent update in hopes it’ll solve the issue but unfortunately it did not

Apr 26, 2026 1:01 PM in response to K1ngcrab

There was a search issue with 26.4 that was supposed to have been fixed with 26.4.1

atalay

Level 1

32 points

Apr 28, 2026 4:35 AM in response to K1ngcrab

Same issue here, very frustrating. My iphone 15 Pro version 26.4.2 has this issue and my iphone Air running 26.4.2 is fine. I think its related to phone models following the iOS upgrades.

Apr 29, 2026 2:39 PM in response to WhatAboutDemApples

iPhone 15 pro max here too. Come on APPLE! Send us a fix!

Apr 29, 2026 2:48 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. Will do.

koneklo

Level 1

16 points

Apr 29, 2026 2:49 PM in response to K1ngcrab

I’m on 26.4.2 and i’m not exactly sure if the update broke this but search does not work at all. Only the top hits appear at the top. Everything is fine in the settings.

Embo501

Level 1

20 points

Apr 30, 2026 2:25 AM in response to K1ngcrab

Same issue for me on iPhone 15 pro. It’s incredibly frustrating and is actually driving me insane! Please fix the issue Apple…

Apr 30, 2026 12:57 PM in response to jrrosas

Thank you!

drmrz93

Level 1

14 points

Apr 30, 2026 5:11 PM in response to K1ngcrab

I'm having this problem but on macbook OS. It's been a couple of days now... so annoying.

nally289

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2026 5:23 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Please kindly fix up my issues my account as soon as possible thanks

Eshri

Level 1

8 points

May 3, 2026 3:34 AM in response to K1ngcrab

I have an iPhone 16 pro max and updated to 26.4.2 - immediately following lost all search function (which apparently I use for everything). Hopefully they fix this soon.

Kurtosis12

Level 10

81,952 points

May 3, 2026 4:15 AM in response to Thedude105

Nevermind, more glitches in this forum.

How to fix Apple search functions not working on iOS 26.4.2?