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:

  1. Quit Apple Mail.
  2. Go to the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.
  3. Right-click (or Control-click) on Apple Mail and select "Show Package Contents."
  4. Navigate to the "Contents" folder and then to the "Settings" folder.
  5. Look for the "com.apple.mail.plist" file and move it to the desktop.
  6. 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:

  1. Go to Apple Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
  2. Select your account and click on the "Advanced" tab.
  3. Uncheck the box next to "Search" under "Search and Indexing."
  4. Click "OK" to save the changes.
  5. 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:

  1. Go to Apple Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
  2. Select your account and click on the "Advanced" tab.
  3. Click on the "Rebuild" button next to "Search and Indexing."
  4. 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:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Spotlight.
  2. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
  3. Click on the "Reset" button.
  4. 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.