Mac users frequently face issues with the app search functionality of their Mailbox. There’s been a steady increase in users reporting apple mail search not working after a recent new macOS version release. In this error, you don’t get the results you are looking for with the Mailbox search. In a majority of cases, this problem resolves on its own after a simple Mac restart. However, in other cases, you may require to implement some troubleshooting. In this article, you’ll find several easy-to-perform solutions for this problem.
Fix Mac Mail Search Not Working
As mentioned before, the most straightforward technique to use when you find mail search not working mac is to log out of your account, restart your Mac, and sign back in. But if it doesn’t work, try the following fixes.
1. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode
Restarting Mac in the Safe mode and then using the Mailbox search is an effective method. Follow these instructions according to your Mac model.
- Intel-based Macs
Intel-based Mac users should first switch off their Mac for one minute. After that, hit the Power button. At the same time, hit and hold the Shift key from your keyboard. Release the key when the login screen appears.
- M1 Macs
M1 Mac users should first switch off their system. After that, wait for around 10 seconds. Then press and hold the Power button. Release it only when the ‘Startup Options’ screen appears. Now choose your startup disk and hold the Shift key. While doing so, choose ‘Continue in Safe mode’ and release the key.
2. Delete Cache in Apple Mail
Bugs and fixes in Apple Mail prevent it from functioning smoothly. So, try deleting them when you find the mac mail search not working.
- Hit the launchpad present at the doc.
- Press the search field and input ‘activity monitor.’
- Start the application.
- Now hit the ‘Memory’ tab.
- Search for ‘Mail’ in the activity tab. Press on it and then hit ‘Quit’ when another popup opens.
- After pressing ‘Confirm’, press ‘Mailcaches’ and repeat the same procedure.
- Relaunch the Mail app by hitting the ‘Mail’ icon and pressing ‘Quit.’
- Open the Mail app again and find if the search is functioning.
3. Rebuild your Spotlight Indexing
The next fix to use when you find the Mac Mail search not working is rebuilding your spotlight indexing. Here’s how you can do that.
- Navigate to ‘System Preferences’ and tap ‘Spotlight.’
- From its search settings, remove ‘Mail & Messages.’ Do it by unticking its box.
- Start your Mac again.
- Now, navigate to System Preferences and from there to Spotlight.
- Lastly, recheck the ‘Mail and Messages’ box.
4. Reindex Spotlight via Terminal
For many users rebuilding Spotlight indexing through the method above works fine. But if it doesn’t help you, you can do the same process via Terminal.
- Exit Mail. Now, launch the Terminal app. Do it by going to ‘Applications’ followed by ‘Utilities.’
- Input the command below and press Enter.
sudo mdutil -i off -E /
This command stops and flushes the indexes.
- When prompted, input the passcode. Now, enter the command below to verify.
sudo mdutil -s /
- Now, you need to enter another command to reindex.
sudo mdutil -i on /
- Lastly, enter the command below to verify.
sudo mdutil -s /
- Next, you must clear the mail app indexes. Do it by opening your ‘Library Folder.’
- Open the ‘Mail’ folder.
- Launch the ‘V8 Folder.’ Here, launch the ‘MailData’ folder.
- Locate Envelope Index files and shift them to the Trash.
- Now, empty the trash and restart Mac.
- Open Mail and see if the problem has been resolved.
6. Execute an SMC Reset
Are you still finding Apple Mail search not working? Well, you might need to carry an SMC reset. The System Management Controller or SMC is a chip present in your Mac that handles varied functions. A temporary glitch in it impacts the search function negatively. Follow these steps to do an SMC reset.
- Shut your Macbook.
- Hold the Shift, Control, and Option key.
- After that, hold the Power and all the other keys for a 10-second period.
- Afterward, release the keys.
- Now hit the Power button to switch on your Macbook.
7. Perform an NVRAM Reset
NVRAM stands for non-volatile random-access memory. In simple words, it’s the memory of your Mac for keeping particular system settings. If an error occurs in it, it leads to the MacOS mail search not working. Reset NVRAM by following these steps.
- Firstly, turn off your machine.
- Next, press the Power button to launch it.
- Immediately afterward, press and hold the Option, P, R, and command keys.
- Hold these keys for 20 seconds till you find Mac restarting.
- Once it starts, release the keys.
- For users whose Mac has an Apple T2 security chip, they must release the keys mentioned above after viewing the Apple logo showing up and disappearing for the second time on their screen.
8. Choose the Correct Folders to Search
If you’ve got several emails across different folders, it can seem a bit hard to search. Therefore, to make this process quicker, you can manually pick the folder you wish to search if you are aware of where the letters you are searching are located.
Launch the Mail app and hold down the Shift key. Now, choose folders where you wish to search. Then, input the search phrase and see if you can get the desired results.
9. Install macOS Again
It is possible that your Apple Mail search not working problem stems from a technical glitch in your operating system. A good idea will be to reinstall macOS.
- Shut down Mac and hit the Power button.
- Now, press and hold the Command + R keys.
- When the Apple logo shows up, release these two keys and wait till the loading process finishes.
- When the macOS utility screen appears, choose ‘Reinstall macOS’ and tap ‘Continue.’
- Adhere to the onscreen prompts to finish macOS reinstallation.
Final Thoughts
All of the resolutions above effectively resolve the Apple Mail search not working issue. You can opt for the method you think will give you the best results. Suppose you still find yourself struggling with the problem. In that case, it’s best to seek the help of professional third-party email technical support services.