Spotlight search doesn't show application names

Question

Level 1

4 points

Spotlight search doesn't show application names

Hi,

I recently did a fresh install of macOS Mojave 10.14.1 and lately I noticed that Spotlight search won't search for applications. Below I entered "Safari" and instead of showing "Safari" from applications it shows everything else:

I can see under the System Preferences settings for Spotlight that the Applications category is already checked.

I tried below changes but none of them helped:

Uncheck all categories and then after a while restart then check them all again
Add Macintosh HD under Privacy then after a while restart then remove it
Keep only Applications category checked
Run Onyx with options for Rebuilding LaunchServices & Spotlight Index

This has become a real pain when I have to switch to Launchpad and then look for the app to open it.

I am not sure if its just me or if its with the 10.14.1 release.

Can anyone please help me resolve this issue?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018), macOS Mojave (10.14.1)

Posted on Nov 30, 2018 7:22 AM

Reply

Answer 1

_ipad2_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2018 11:07 AM in response to dialabrain

This is bad. I am surprised that there isn't anyway in macOS to only fix the issues related to Spotlight than reinstall the whole thing and that too when I know the issue is just with Applications category alone.

Doesn't the Etrecheck output I uploaded give any clue on what the cause of the problem might be? I am afraid that even after reinstallation the issue might re-appear and this whole exercise could be nothing but a waste of time. I wouldn't mind reinstallation but knowing ahead the cause of problem might be helpful and this situation can be avoidable again.

Can you tell me when I do macOS Recovery by reinstalling macOS, would all my non standard delivered programs and settings stay or will I need to reinstall & configure each program once again?

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

207,775 points

Dec 3, 2018 12:39 PM in response to _ipad2_

Do you have the Finder set to display file extensions?

If not then do so and rebuild the Spotlight index: How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

_ipad2_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2018 12:38 PM in response to Old Toad

I fixed my problem by deleting folder "/.Spotlight-V100". With this macOS redid the indexing and now everything works normal.

Thanks everyone.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

122,669 points

Nov 30, 2018 7:34 AM in response to _ipad2_

Try while logged into a different user account'

Try while in Safe Mode.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

122,669 points

Dec 2, 2018 7:37 PM in response to _ipad2_

Seeing it doesn't work in a different user account or in Safe Mode that pretty much leaves reinstalling Mojave.

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

122,669 points

Nov 30, 2018 7:26 AM in response to _ipad2_

It would be easier to click on Safari's icon in the Dock.

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Answer 7

_ipad2_ Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 30, 2018 7:29 AM in response to dialabrain

Safari was just an example. My problem is with every installed application. I have around 90+ applications and it's just not possible to add each and every one of them.

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