Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Spotlight search is not working, iPad, 2 4.3.3

Please can anyone help me out here?

When I type anything in the spotlight search is does not show anything or respond!

Thanks in advance

iPhone 4, iOS 4.3.2

Posted on Sep 8, 2011 9:12 AM

Reply
9 replies

Sep 8, 2011 9:16 AM in response to ahmmetwally

What categories of content have you set to include in searches via Settings > General > Spotlight Search ?


If the screen isn't responding, and the keyboard doesn't work on it, then try a reset : press and hold both the sleep and home buttons for about 10 to 15 seconds (ignore the red slider), after which the Apple logo should appear - you won't lose any content, it's the iPad equivalent of a reboot.

Oct 31, 2011 6:53 AM in response to ahmmetwally

Same problem here - looks like a bug to me.


Restart cures it for one try and then the problem returns


Found other posts about this problem elsewhere and the followig solution works for me:


- remove mail from the spotlight search settings

- restart

- spotlight now works although searching mail is obviously no longer possible.

- looks like spotlight is getting hung when searching mail for some reason


Needs a fix

Nov 19, 2011 10:02 PM in response to andypost

1. Go to settings>spotlight search

2. Choose 'Mail' to turn off spotlight search for mail. You will see the checkbox disappear.

3. Rebooti (pressing the home button and the power switch together)

4. Test spotlight search. It should work.

5. Now go back and turn it on for Mail.

6. Test spotlight search again. It works for me.


Yes, something in Mail messes up spotlight search. No idea what it is.

Dec 3, 2012 9:54 PM in response to onelife2000

I used some if what I read here and figured out what my issue was. I was not seeing the search web/Search Wikipedia options anymore. I then un checked mail from the spotlight search in settings and went back to spotlight and they reappeared, no reboots necessary.


So I went back in and rechecked Mail and it stopped appearing or so I thought. I then wondered if maybe it was just busy searching my 8 emails accounts... Waited 22 seconds and the search web and search Wikipedia appeared at the bottom as always. Not exactly he fastest way to perform a search on the web. Is quicker to launch Chrome/Safari and search from there.


Now I am not sure if something changed with the latest iOS update to cause this result or I have more email than I had before, but if you have a lot of email, its not broken, just cranking through your emails. Perhaps Apple can search in parallel and produce all the results at once.


Hope that helps someone out.


-Mikeriz

Spotlight search is not working, iPad, 2 4.3.3

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.