User level: Level 1 (5 points)After I updated to macOS 27 Golden Gate 27.0.1, the spotlight search doesn't work. i press command and space, type in "calculator" and the app doesn't appear. same goes to my Apps, all the icons are blank. How do i fix this? Will Apple fix the bug? I need the spotlight search to work because i use it a lot.
Posted on Oct 1, 2026 8:13 AM
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)Oct 1, 2026 8:18 AM in response to fitrizdn
First, make sure that apps are included in your results.
Include apps in Spotlight results
If that does not work, then rebuild the Spotlight index for the above steps to work properly.
Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac - Apple Support
If that still doesn’t work, Copy/Paste this into Terminal. sudo will ask for your password. Just type the password and hit return. It won't show anything on screen. Those two commands essentially nuke all the Spotlight records then force a reindex. You may need to restart or log out/in after running the commands.
sudo mdutil -X /; sudo mdutil -i on /
Note that Spotlight re-indexes your Mac after a macOS update, and this process can take some time.
More info from Apple: About Spotlight indexing and search results on Apple devices - Apple Support
User level: Level 10 (131,878 points)Oct 1, 2026 8:33 AM in response to fitrizdn
Provided you have done what neuroanatomist has suggested, you only need to type in the shortest name string necessary to get a match in Spotlight:
If you are using the Calculator frequently, then drag and drop it from the view above to an easy access location on your Dock. Then you are one click away from launching the app and no longer need to depend on the above search process.
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)Oct 1, 2026 8:36 AM in response to fitrizdn
fitrizdn wrote:
i tried to run the terminal but it doesn't allow me to enter password. i couldn't type anything.
The sudo password request doesn’t echo. Just type your password and press return. Nothing will show as you type, so type carefully.
User level: Level 1 (4 points)Oct 18, 2026 10:22 AM in response to fitrizdn
In my case the spotlight settings isn't even loading. I cannot see my apps with spotlight. Also the search on my notes, mail app isn't working either. When you try to search it does nothing. Anyone facing this issue?
[Edited by Moderator]
User level: Level 1 (19 points)Oct 29, 2026 2:13 PM in response to neuroanatomist
Although I have auto update switched on, in fact I was still on 27.0.1. Have just downloaded 27.2 and that will restart overnight and will - I hope - look like yours: and fix the issue🤞🏼! Thanks again. Tim
User level: Level 1 (5 points)Oct 1, 2026 8:31 AM in response to neuroanatomist
i have checked my spotlight setting, everything is toggled on. i tried to run the terminal but it doesn't allow me to enter password. i couldn't type anything.
what do i do
User level: Level 1 (5 points)Oct 18, 2026 10:22 AM in response to fitrizdn
also the icons are missing
[Edited by Moderator]
User level: Level 1 (5 points)Oct 18, 2026 10:23 AM in response to VikingOSX
i don't want the calculator app to be on the dock, and spotlight search doesn't show anything. before the update everything was okay.
[Edited by Moderator]
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Oct 18, 2026 2:29 AM in response to fitrizdn
Same here. After updating to 27.0.1 Spotlight just stopped working in the Finder: I type "saf" and nothing happens. I checked the result types in the settings and have rebuilt the index to no avail.
User level: Level 1 (19 points)Oct 29, 2026 10:20 AM in response to neuroanatomist
You can see from my screenshot that "Documents" is missing compared with your screen shot where it sits between Apps and Files .... Thank you for help to get this far, at least. Tim
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)Oct 29, 2026 10:52 AM in response to Tim3030
I presume you're on 27.2, the screenshot above is from 27.0.1. On 27.2, I see what you see and 'Documents' is part of Files. Click the (i) next to the Files toggle.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256368552