Why is iPhone Spotlight Search not working?

There could be two reasons behind Spotlight search not working on your iPhone. It could either be old hardware or bug-ridden software. Sometimes iPhones with older processors struggle to keep up with new iOS releases making your iPhone slower. Meanwhile, most of the time, it’s the software causing issues with the search on your iPhone.

6 Ways to fix Spotlight Search not working on iPhone

1. Restart the iPhone

Although the simplest solution, restarting your iPhone often gets rid of the problem. So try it before moving on to other fixes.

On iPhone X and later: Long-press the volume button and side button and swipe the slider to shut down the device. Now, long-press the side button to turn on the device after two minutes. On iPhone 8 and earlier: Long-press the side button and swipe right the power off slider to shut down the device. After some time, turn on the device by pressing and holding the side button.

2. Disable Spotlight Search for iOS apps

Sometimes, disabling and enabling the feature may help fix the bug. Here’s how to disable the Spotlight Search for the app: *Note: You might not be shown Suggest Shortcuts and Show Siri Suggestions for some apps.

3. Change language settings

If you see a blank screen instead of Spotlight Search, the chances are that your language file might be corrupted. Changing language settings can help fix the Spotlight search not working issue. Here’s how to do it. Now try using the Spotlight search, and if you’re still facing some issues, move on to the steps mentioned below.

4. Remove Shortcuts widget

Many users reported that the Spotlight Search stopped working after adding the Shortcuts widgets in the Home Screen. To remove it, swipe to view the Home Screen widgets → scroll down, and tap Edit → tap the red icon next to Shortcuts to remove it. Now, check if Spotlight Search is working now. If the problem persists, move to the next step.

5. Update your iPhone

The problem may be due to the recent update. Apple usually fixes these bugs in the consequent updates. See if your device has any pending software updates. If yes, go ahead and install it.

6. Reset your iPhone

The troubleshooting steps mentioned above should be able to fix the Spotlight Search on your iPhone. However, if you’re still facing issues with your iPhone search, I’d recommend you contact Apple support. Let us know which method(s) worked for you in the comments below. Read more:

How to use Spotlight Search on iPhone How to quickly track flights on iPhone using Spotlight Search Turn off Siri Suggestions in Spotlight Search on iPhone and iPad Google search not working on iPhone? 14 Ways to fix it! Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 97Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 76Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 74Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 98Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 35Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 76Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 3


title: “Spotlight Search Not Working On Iphone 6 Fixes” ShowToc: true date: “2023-06-10” author: “Josephine Hayes”

Why is iPhone Spotlight Search not working?

There could be two reasons behind Spotlight search not working on your iPhone. It could either be old hardware or bug-ridden software. Sometimes iPhones with older processors struggle to keep up with new iOS releases making your iPhone slower. Meanwhile, most of the time, it’s the software causing issues with the search on your iPhone.

6 Ways to fix Spotlight Search not working on iPhone

1. Restart the iPhone

Although the simplest solution, restarting your iPhone often gets rid of the problem. So try it before moving on to other fixes.

On iPhone X and later: Long-press the volume button and side button and swipe the slider to shut down the device. Now, long-press the side button to turn on the device after two minutes. On iPhone 8 and earlier: Long-press the side button and swipe right the power off slider to shut down the device. After some time, turn on the device by pressing and holding the side button.

2. Disable Spotlight Search for iOS apps

Sometimes, disabling and enabling the feature may help fix the bug. Here’s how to disable the Spotlight Search for the app: *Note: You might not be shown Suggest Shortcuts and Show Siri Suggestions for some apps.

3. Change language settings

If you see a blank screen instead of Spotlight Search, the chances are that your language file might be corrupted. Changing language settings can help fix the Spotlight search not working issue. Here’s how to do it. Now try using the Spotlight search, and if you’re still facing some issues, move on to the steps mentioned below.

4. Remove Shortcuts widget

Many users reported that the Spotlight Search stopped working after adding the Shortcuts widgets in the Home Screen. To remove it, swipe to view the Home Screen widgets → scroll down, and tap Edit → tap the red icon next to Shortcuts to remove it. Now, check if Spotlight Search is working now. If the problem persists, move to the next step.

5. Update your iPhone

The problem may be due to the recent update. Apple usually fixes these bugs in the consequent updates. See if your device has any pending software updates. If yes, go ahead and install it.

6. Reset your iPhone

The troubleshooting steps mentioned above should be able to fix the Spotlight Search on your iPhone. However, if you’re still facing issues with your iPhone search, I’d recommend you contact Apple support. Let us know which method(s) worked for you in the comments below. Read more:

How to use Spotlight Search on iPhone How to quickly track flights on iPhone using Spotlight Search Turn off Siri Suggestions in Spotlight Search on iPhone and iPad Google search not working on iPhone? 14 Ways to fix it! Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 11Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 33Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 51Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 32Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 62Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 11Spotlight Search not working on iPhone  6 fixes - 35