Contents
7 Best Fixes for iMessage Search Not Working on iPhone
Like other messaging apps, iMessage is equipped with features for iPhone. You can add iMessage apps on your iPhone to access content from other apps and share it with your friends. You can also search for specific content in your older iMessage chats using the Search bar.
Some users complain about not being able to search for older messages in iMessage on iPhone. If you’re facing the same issue, we have solutions to fix iMessage search on your iPhone.
1. Check iMessage History Settings
The Messages app on your iPhone allows you to keep or delete old messages after 30 days. So, if you can’t find your old chats, they might have been deleted. Here’s how you can choose to keep your iMessage chats forever.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Messages.
Step 2: Scroll down and select Keep Messages.
Step 3: Tap on Forever.
2. Rebuild Search Index For Messages App
If iMessage search stops working, rebuild the search index for the Messages app. Disable and enable Siri search suggestions for Messages on your iPhone. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Settings > Siri and Search.
Step 2: Scroll down and select the Messages app.
Step 3: Disable the options by tapping the toggle next to Show App In Search and Show In App.
Step 4: Close Settings and restart your iPhone. Step 5: After restarting your iPhone, open the Settings app.
Step 6: Choose Siri and Search and tap Messages.
Step 7: Enable the options of Show App In Search and Show In App again.
Step 8: Wait for a few minutes. Then close Settings and open the Messages app to check if the problem is solved.
3. Enable iMessage Again
Re-enabling iMessage will download all your chats again on your iPhone. This is another way of reindexing your iMessage chats.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Messages.
Step 2: Disable iMessage by toggling off the service.
To review the text and eliminate redundant words or phrases, I would make the following revisions:
“Step 3: Wait a few seconds and toggle iMessage on again.”
4. Force Quit and Relaunch Messages App
After downloading all your iMessage chats again, we recommend force quitting and relaunching the Messages app on your iPhone for a fresh start.
Step 1: On the home screen, swipe up and hold to reveal the background app windows.
Step 2: Swipe right to find the Messages app and swipe up to remove it.
Relaunch the Messages app and check if the problem is solved.
5. Disable and Download Messages
If you can’t search for your iMessage chats, disable iCloud backup for Messages to download them offline. Re-enable iCloud syncing on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open Settings and tap your profile name.
Step 2: Tap iCloud and select Show All.
Step 3: Select Messages.
Step 4: Tap the toggle next to Sync This iPhone to disable it.
Step 5: Disable and Download Messages.
Once your messages are downloaded, the Messages app will reindex your chats. Enable iCloud syncing again. Close Settings and open the Messages app to check if the problem is solved.
6. Update iOS Version
To update the iOS version on your iPhone, you can open the Settings app, go to General, and update. This will remove any bugs causing the issue.
Step 2: Select Software Update.
Step 3: Download and install any available updates. Step 4: Open the Messages app to check if the problem is solved.
Search Your Old Texts
If your iMessage search is not working on your iPhone, these solutions will help. Sometimes, you might not be able to respond to messages right away. The good thing is that your iPhone offers two options to set up automatic replies for calls and messages. You can check out our post to learn how to do it.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.