How to fix search in apple mail
The frustration of a broken search function in Apple Mail! Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue. Here are some steps to try:
Step 1: Check for updates
Make sure your Mac and Apple Mail are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update (on macOS High Sierra or later) or System Preferences > App Store (on macOS Sierra or earlier). If an update is available, install it and restart your Mac.
Step 2: Reset Apple Mail
Resetting Apple Mail can sometimes resolve issues with search. To do this:
- Quit Apple Mail.
- Go to the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.
- Right-click (or Control-click) on Apple Mail and select "Show Package Contents."
- Navigate to the "Contents" folder and then to the "Settings" folder.
- Look for the "com.apple.mail.plist" file and move it to the desktop.
- Restart Apple Mail.
Step 3: Check your search criteria
Ensure that your search criteria are correct and not too broad or too specific. Try searching for a specific word or phrase, and make sure you're searching in the correct mailbox or folder.
Step 4: Check for duplicate messages
If you have duplicate messages in your mailbox, it can cause search issues. Try using the "Find" feature (Command + Shift + F) to search for duplicate messages and then delete them.
Step 5: Check your mailbox permissions
Make sure you have the necessary permissions to access the mailbox you're trying to search. Try searching in a different mailbox or folder to see if the issue persists.
Step 6: Disable and re-enable search
Try disabling search and then re-enabling it:
- Go to Apple Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
- Select your account and click on the "Advanced" tab.
- Uncheck the box next to "Search" under "Search and Indexing."
- Click "OK" to save the changes.
- Wait for a few minutes and then re-enable search by checking the box again.
Step 7: Re-index your mailbox
If none of the above steps work, try re-indexing your mailbox:
- Go to Apple Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
- Select your account and click on the "Advanced" tab.
- Click on the "Rebuild" button next to "Search and Indexing."
- Wait for the process to complete.
Step 8: Reset your Mac's Spotlight search
If none of the above steps work, try resetting your Mac's Spotlight search:
- Go to System Preferences > Spotlight.
- Click on the "Privacy" tab.
- Click on the "Reset" button.
- Restart your Mac.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking assistance from Apple Support or a professional IT expert.