[Useful] Fix iOS 17/18/26 Search Not Working - 9 Quick Ways

Using the search feature on your iPhone, you can quickly find the text, contact, app, and more you need among a large number of files. However, this handy search feature can sometimes malfunction. This article will analyze the reasons behind this problem and provide solutions to fix quick search not working on iPhone.

Why Is iOS 17/18/26 Search Engine Not Working on iPhone?

Apple usually fixes many known issues in the latest iOS releases, such as iOS 17/18/26 spotlight search not working. But some users say that after installing the new version, you may also need to manually reset the index. So what causes this result? Here are some potential reasons:

50. ⛔Siri search and spotlight search settings are wrong.
50. ⛔System defects exist on both new and old iOS versions.
50. ⛔ iPhone is not connected to a stable and available Internet.
50. ⛔There may be some language issues.
50. ⛔ iPhone is stuck due to insufficient memory.

How to Fix iOS 17/18/26 Search Not Working - 9 Ways

Now that you know the reasons why the spotlight search not working on  iPhone, let's try the troubleshooting methods below to fix the problem!

Way 1. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your device is one of the easiest ways to fix this problem. It sounds simple, but it usually solves most problems, including iPhone contacts search not working. You can restart your iPhone before trying any other methods to solve search problems.

Way 2. Check Internet Connection

The iPhone's search engine tool requires good network conditions to retrieve data and display it on your iPhone. If your non-local search queries take a long time to appear in Spotlight Search, or if the search fails, check that your Wi-Fi or cellular data is turned on.

Way 3. Change Language Settings

If you change the language option to something other than English, you may experience recognition issues if you are not familiar with the changed language. It is recommended that you change the original language and region settings to other values according to your needs and restart the phone. This method will help you solve the issue of iPhone swipe down search not working.

Way 4. Free up iPhone Storage Space

When your iPhone storage is seriously low, your iPhone will become sluggish and will have problems such as iPhone search not working properly. You can first check your phone memory by going to Settings > General > About > Available Space.

If your iPhone storage is full, you can directly delete some large files on the device, such as using FoneTool to erase duplicate photos or some privacy data on iPhone.

To delete similar photos on iPhone, please connect iPhone to computer > Open FoneTool > Click Toolbox > Then choose Photo Deduplication.

If you want to delete documents and data on iPhone, like messages, call history, notes, calendar, Safari history, etc. You can go to Toolbox > Choose Erase private data > And then select the files you want to clear.

Way 5. Remove Shortcuts

While iPhone widgets and shortcuts are useful, sometimes certain widgets can break the search functionality. Turning off these shortcuts may help resolve the issue, and you can easily re-add any necessary shortcuts later.

Here is the guide to delete shortcuts from home page.

Step 1. Go to the home screen on your iPhone > Swipe left to check the widgets accessible.

Step 2. Scroll down and hit the Edit button.

Step 3. Then remove the shortcuts.

Way 6. Reset All Settings

In some cases, your iPhone settings may be the cause of the error. Resetting all settings may fix the problem without affecting your data. Resetting settings to default without losing data can also solve your problem. Below is the guide to fix iOS 18/26 search not working.

Step 1. Open Settings on the iPhone.

Step 2. Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Tap Reset.

Step 3. Select the Reset All Settings option.

Way 7. Check Siri and Search Settings

In addition to typing with the keyboard, you can also let Siri to help you search the data. If iPhone search is not working with Siri, please check Siri and Search Settings. Ensure that you have enabled suggestions in search and allow Siri when locked.

Way 8. Repair & Upgrade iOS System with FoneTool Repair

If the above methods don't resolve the search function issue, it might be caused by deeper system corruption. FoneTool Repair specializes in fixing iOS system problems that can cause functionality failures like search not working.

Step 1. Connect the iPhone to the computer by USB cable > Install and launch FoneTool Repair > Hit iOS System Repair.

Step 2. Choose Standard Mode to fix iOS 26/18 search not working without data loss.

Step 3. Click Download to download the firmware package.

Step 4. Click Start Repair to begin the system repair process. 

After completion, your iPhone will restart and the search functionality should be restored.

Way 9. Show Apps in Search

The Siri and Search settings for some apps may be changed, so they may not be displayed. Just go to Settings > Siri & Search > Scroll down and select the app > Turn on Show App in Search.

Conclusion

To fix iOS 26/18/17 search not working on iPhone, this detailed guide offers useful quick fixes including basic troubleshooting and professional system repair with FoneTool Repair. For persistent system-level issues, FoneTool Repair provides comprehensive iOS system repair capabilities to restore your iPhone's search functionality efficiently.