Search function not working in Sequoia.

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Level 1

56 points

Search function not working in Sequoia.

Mac Studio, Sequoia 15.7.2. SEARCH FUNCTION doesn't work and is really OFF. I don't understand why!

For example, I enter "Just Allan" in the search field under "Name" and it comes up with nothing- zero results.

I switch to "Any- Everything," and it finds hundreds of files that don't even pertain to the file name being searched! And I'm viewing the file "Just Allan" in it's folder on the desktop- see screen shots:

What's going on? With all the complaints I have with MacOS, am I being sabotaged?

Mac Studio

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 12:23 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,422 points

Dec 15, 2025 12:59 PM in response to rgbnite

It appears the Just Allan file is on a folder shared with File Sharing. Is that the only instance when a File is not found when searching by name?

And what happens when instead of choosing "This Mac" for your search criteria in your screenshot, you instead choose "Art,Video,AudioGarde..."

When you switch to Any in the search field, you are searching not only the Filename but also in the contents of those files that contain the words Just and Allan. That is why you see so many results. If you want to restrict to 2 words together, then you would need to put quotes around it so it looks like "Just Allan".

Not sure what you mean by your question asking if you are being sabotaged.

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Answer 2

rgbnite Author

Level 1

56 points

Dec 16, 2025 10:04 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Mac Jim- Thank you for your reply. I have been using the Search function for many years. My computers are for work, and when they malfunction, it's very frustrating and disrupts the flow of progress. I have tried every configuration to achieve a find, even placing a known file directly on the desktop. The Calendar search is not working either.

The extra measure typing in quotes is unacceptable- especially in this day and age. BDAqua's solution is so unsophisticated, but I will try it (by adding files to exclude, then including them again in Spotlight privacy).

It's funny how marketing can find anything I am perusing and then tries to sell it to me. Malware is in our veins, and you ask what I mean by sabotage? Or is this a closed-door security system from Apple?

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Answer 3

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,422 points

Dec 16, 2025 11:20 AM in response to rgbnite

As for ad marketing, with Safari make sure you have Safari > Settings > Privacy > Prevent Cross Site Tracking turned on. If you are signed into a Google account, then you are being tracked across websites you visit and anything that you search for. If you use Google Chrome, then stop using that one. There are many Chromium alternatives without the Google tracking that should be used if you are opposed to Safari.
Putting quotes around multiple words is a common practice for exact phrase matching also used for web searches.
You can perform reindexing using the method you referred to by BDAqua, but for a File Sharing/Network Drives, that index will be removed when it gets disconnected and require reindexing when online. Also external sources can opt out of any indexing of their files.
Make sure you have all options selected for Spotlight at  > System Settings > Spotlight.
When you tap the Search Privacy button on the bottom of that page, make sure you do not have the Desktop chosen to be excluded. That is how I have it set on my Mac because Desktop files come and go where indexing of that folder is not relevant in my workflow.

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