Why is my iPhone Search not working after iOS 18 update?

Calendar search function is falling apart. If it yields any results about events I know should be on the calendar, they will likely be only three most recent ones. I've done all they things relayed to syncing settings, turning Airplane Mode off/on, but nothing seems to work. Fortunately, the missing events can be found on my PC-version of Goggle's calendar, whose sync is properly set. What's up Apple? Do you plan to fix this rather serious problem in an upcoming update soon?

When I try to search my texts for a keyword I know I’ve used repeatedly for years, all that comes up are the relevant texts from the current month. This is after tapping See All. It used to show all texts from when I first started using the device years ago. Restarting my iPad Mini doesn’t fix the problem.

Having this same issue. I have done the toggle multiple times with reboot and waiting. After toggling it will work for moments. But it almost seems like a. Memory leak appears to be happening or a cyclical dependency that is taking up any ability for it to search. As long as it is almost immediately after turning it off it works but not for long.

I would be able to support someone from support but unsure how to get in contact. Please help us!

You remembered it correctly, and it worked for me. My text searches are now complete and no longer truncate to include only this month’s matches. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m going to screen shot this solution for the next time this happens - because it will!

same here, upgraded to 18.1.1 on IPhone 13, have tried all suggested options, nothing works. This is just ugly, I have to find an app on one of my many screens of apps to open the app. After rebooting, now all previously apps that showed are now gone also. Seriously?

The solution that has been shared is not a permanent fix. I can get the problem fixed temporarily but it always comes back by the next time I search.

I’ve toggled the Suggestions and Search off and on. I’ve toggled off, rebooted, turn on again, still no permanent fix.

TO BE CLEAR: sometimes it fixes it for one search, but then the problem comes back. This is the worst issue I’ve ever had with an iPhone. It’s a major burden to open apps now. Most of my apps are not sitting on the Home Screen.

Correcting my post, it does not work for any length of time. The issue seems to fix itself for brief periods, but mostly stays broken. Using the solution others have provided has occasionally resulted in the temp fix, but not always, and never for long.

@Apple can you please address this!!!

I just downloaded 18.2. What is going on with Apple mail. Those email icons are terrible and it looks a child designed them. I went and changed it back to list view hoping to see what I am used to , but Noooo!!!. It is a clown show. I would like to go back to the traditional look. Is that Possible? Apple you can do better . Why can’t you leave things alone or give loyal Apple users a choice. Stop force feeding us these crazy ideas.

After the iOS 18 update I am unable to do a search for anything. My photos are scattered hilly nilly without any order and I cannot pull up any of my art work to conduct business. I see a lot of other people experiencing the same thing but have not been able to find any fixes coming from Apple. I hope they are making this a priority as it effects our livelihood.

Thank you for posting this! I’m going through and doing the same for notes, calendar, mail, etc since it appears to reactivate the indexing. I learned it from another post I found- but I think we need to share this far and wide- I’ve experienced personal, medical, and professional fallout from this function being inaccessible.

Thanks for your help. Using your procedure I recovered a most of my photos but I still unable to search. I am a little confused when you get to"suggestions and search turn the switch to off and then on and it will take a while...... Please explain what takes a while because you only can turn the switch to off and then on. Do you repeat turning off and on? Sorry probably a dumb question. (Using MacBook Pro 16 and have all updates)

That’s not the only problem I’m having. I’m actually looking to switch phones , and providers. My phone freezes, I can’t search anything. My calendar all the work dates and events/appointments. All gone. Just like that. Then came back. Tonight it’s the photos and videos. My email doesn’t connect to my calendar anymore. The problems are honestly never ending. Resetting phone, does nothing. I was told last night, I had to “RESTORE” it. Not until I know I won’t have things permanently lost. Even with the last back up being 5 days ago. I don’t know what problems were occurring then. The worst of it all. My old number from 5 years ago. Not affiliated to my government logins, banking or Apple ID. Was able to read my messages before leaving them as well as getting two factor codes. I am still dealing with this matter since Jan! Seems like everyone’s having som e sort of problem. I’m having all of the above and then some ..

Considering it was never a problem before. I’m not sure what to think. I keep getting told it’s the lack of space. But like I said, before Jan, I never had a problem with my phones, and have had Apple devices since 2010. Way too many things are going on at once, at random. One day it’s all of my events, hours worked and everyday appts in my calendar. Then it randomly reappears 2 days later. Now it’s 17, 000+ photos/videos. Out of prob 25, 000 But all are in my iCloud. I had more on my phone in December, than I do today.. when I go to delete anything to free up space, once I click delete. It was like I never deleted it and back in photos.

I really don’t think these problems, are due to the storage issue.

At a complete Loss here with this.

@IdrisSeabright

Nonsense. I have the issue described in this thread; below is a pic of my phone memory usage. Plenty of space available to create an index for any of the searches people have described.

SWColby wrote:

@IdrisSeabright

Nonsense. I have the issue described in this thread; below is a pic of my phone memory usage. Plenty of space available to create an index for any of the searches people have described.

I wasn't commenting on your issue. The person to whom I was responding has another long thread it which it became obvious that their problem was too little space on their phone.

Your problem may be entirely different.