Spotlight not in menu bar controls on macOS Golden Gate

Kaynep wrote:

Thanks. That is what I thought, command-space bar was the new combination. But as you say there really wasn’t any clear mention of the absence-spotlight from the menu bar once Siri AI is enabled combining controls. It works for me just thought they should have been clear on that aspect.

Some observations:

1) Command-Space has always been the standard shortcut to open Spotlight. It continues to work.

2) The magnifying glass icon has been replaced by the Siri icon, but this does not reduce any functionality.

Just click the Siri icon and you can type to Spotlight just as before.

3) You can also press F4, just as before, to launch Spotlight

All of this works without having to turn off Siri; of course, as noted, you could turn Siri off for the gratification of seeing the old magnifying glass; but you'd lose a lot. The new Siri is so much more powerful than before.

In macOS 27 Golden Gate, Spotlight has not been eliminated. 

Apple has integrated Siri AI into Spotlight, so when Siri AI is enabled, Command–Space opens Spotlight and provides access to Siri from the same interface. 

Apple’s current documentation does not specifically state that enabling Siri AI removes the separate Spotlight item from System Settings > Menu Bar, but this behaviour has been reported by macOS 27 users, including reports that disabling Siri AI causes the Spotlight menu-bar option to return. 

Therefore, the absence of the Spotlight menu-bar control appears to be part of the new Siri AI/Spotlight integration rather than the removal of Spotlight itself. 

As a diagnostic test, temporarily disable Siri AI and check System Settings > Menu Bar again. 

Regardless, Spotlight remains available with Command–Space.

Apple — Find what you need with Spotlight on Mac

Apple — What’s new in macOS 27 Golden Gate

Check system settings > menu bar > Menu Bar Controls.

Then insure that theres a checkmark next to Spotlight.

The Spotlight icon appears in the Menu Bar on macOS 27 Golden Gate IF Siri is off and if the option is enabled in System Settings > Menu Bar.

Once Siri is turned on, it appears there is no simple toggle to turn it back off.

More info:

Turn off Apple Intelligence in macOS 27 - Apple Community

Change Siri Restrictions settings in Screen Time on Mac - Apple Support

Mantissa52 wrote: "Dear Apple..."

Mantissa ~ Your "Dear Apple" is unlikely to be seen by Apple in these user-to-user communities. Instead:

Product Feedback - Apple

How to contact Apple for help with accessibility features - Apple

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417-Z51 wrote:

The Clipboard memory function is missing. That was a very handy feature; I have been unable to figure out how to access that through Siri.

Really?! It works exactly as before. Command-space followed by Command-4.

Thanks. That is what I thought, command-space bar was the new combination. But as you say there really wasn’t any clear mention of the absence-spotlight from the menu bar once Siri AI is enabled combining controls. It works for me just thought they should have been clear on that aspect.

Dear Apple, I'm part of a volunteer team that offers tech support to an elderly local community group some of whom wrestle with their own biological memory issues, all of whom find computers increasingly difficult to operate as they age. Many of the problems are to do with menu items disappearing/replaced/reconfigured. One such is the spyglass vanishing into Siri. Would it really be such a demanding, expensive, technically challenging task to issue a simple designed one page document in a prominent, easily accessible place, that goes with each upgrade stating clearly with graphics what are the bottom line changes to major features?

siri is hopelessly slow for quick app openings, etc. will look for 3rd party to get back spotlight like quick search. so far siri has been another bust, but will give it time to improve.

You are not talking to Apple but to fellow users like yourself. To let Apple know about your concerns, use the feedback page at

https://www.apple.com/feedback

The Clipboard memory function is missing. That was a very handy feature; I have been unable to figure out how to access that through Siri.