Apple mail app search not working

Frustrating! The Apple Mail app's search function not working can be a real pain. Let's troubleshoot together to get it up and running again.

Here are some steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Restart your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Try closing the Mail app, restarting your Mac, and then reopening Mail to see if the search function works.
  2. Check for updates: Ensure that your Mac and Mail app are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update (on macOS High Sierra or earlier) or System Preferences > General > Software Update (on macOS Mojave or later). If an update is available, install it and then try searching again.
  3. Clear Mail's cache: Clearing the Mail app's cache can help resolve issues like this. To do this:
    • Go to the Mail app's preferences by clicking Mail > Preferences (or press Command +,).
    • Click on the "Accounts" tab.
    • Select the account you're having trouble with.
    • Click the "Advanced" tab.
    • Click the "Remove" button next to "Offline Messages" and then click "OK".
    • Restart the Mail app.
  4. Check your search settings: Ensure that the search function is enabled in the Mail app's preferences. To do this:
    • Go to the Mail app's preferences by clicking Mail > Preferences (or press Command +,).
    • Click on the "General" tab.
    • Make sure the "Search" checkbox is selected.
  5. Check for conflicts with other apps: Sometimes, other apps can interfere with the Mail app's search function. Try closing any other apps that might be running in the background and see if the search function works.
  6. Reset the Mail app's preferences: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting the Mail app's preferences. To do this:
    • Go to the Mail app's preferences by clicking Mail > Preferences (or press Command +,).
    • Click on the "Reset" button at the bottom of the window.
    • Confirm that you want to reset the preferences.
  7. Reinstall the Mail app: If all else fails, you can try reinstalling the Mail app. To do this:
    • Go to the App Store and click on the "Purchased" tab.
    • Find the Mail app in your purchase history and click the "Install" button.
    • Wait for the app to reinstall.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to try contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.