Some iPhone users have reported that they can't search old text messages recently. For people who use iMessage to communicate and have a lot of stored text messages, the inability to search for old messages on their devices can be frustrating. That's why we are here to help!

In this post, we'll show how to fix iMessage search not working on iPhone. Move on right now!

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1 Change Languages

Sometimes, the Language settings could be the reason why you can’t search for old texts in messages. Follow the steps below to change language setting:

Step 1: Open Settings > General > Language & Region.

Step 2: Change the current language to another language. Wait for a few minutes and then do the message search again.

change-iphone-language

2 Switch Spotlight Search Off and On

Spotlight Search on iPhone is designed to help users to search their devices, it makes your search process faster and more convenient. However, this app can sometimes be the reason why you can’t search for old texts in messages. In this situation, you need to switch Spotlight Search off and then back on.

Step 1: Click on the Settings > General > Spotlight Search.

Step 2: You will see two options: Suggestions in Search and Suggestions in Look Up. Toggle off the Suggestions in Look Up. This will disable the Spotlight Search in suggesting web results, App Store results, map locations, iTunes, and movie showtimes.

suggestions in look up

Step 3: Toggle off the Suggestions in the Search option. And wait for a few seconds then switch both the Suggestions in Search and Suggestions in Look Up back on. Do this by sliding the switches next to these options to green.

3 Reset iPhone to Factory Default

Resetting your device back to factory settings could also enable to access your old texts in messages. However, this method will only work if you have backed up your device. This is because this method will erase everything including your apps and settings.

Step 1: Launch Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2: Wait for a few minutes for your device to completely erase everything.

erase all content and settings iphone

When the problem of iPhone shows unread text messages but there are none pops up, you can try to fix it by resetting your iPhone to factory settings.

4 Rebuild the Search Index

The search index on your iPhone could also cause you can’t search for old text messages. To fix this follow these steps:

Step 1: Go Settings > Siri & Search. And find the Message app and then switch off the Search & Siri Suggestions.

Step 2: Restart your iPhone and go to Siri & Search again.

search siri suggestion in messages

Step 3: Find the Message app and then switch on the Search & Siri Suggestions. Wait for a few minutes to enable the search index to rebuild itself.

Step 4: Go to the Message App and check whether you can now find the older text messages.

5 Find a Message Using Mac

If you own a Mac and you have been using iCloud and iMessage, you can recover all your older text messages. This will work if you have been syncing your device with your Mac. The messages app on your Mac keeps track of all the text messages history via iMessage and SMS.

Step 1: Click on Finder > Folder. And enter this path /Users/ your username/Library/Messages/Archive/.

Step 2: You will be able to find subfolders for each date according to year, month, and day.

check imessages mac

Step 3: Click on the folder you are interested in according to the date and you will be able to find your older text messages.

Step 4: Double-click the .ichat file and open it in Messages.

6 Check Recent Messages Using Siri

Siri can also help to search old texts in messages on iPhone. However, it is essential to point out that Siri does not search through your entire message history but will trace the latest text message threads.

Step 1: Enable Siri by simply long pressing the Home button or the Side button. Then ask Siri “Do I have any new messages?” or “Check new messages”.

Step 2: Siri will read all your new messages and will let you know if you have the most recent text messages.

Step 3: You can ask Siri to repeat if you did not catch the previous messages by saying “Read Again”.

check recent messages using siri

7 Fix iMessage Not Working with Third-party App

If you still cannot search your messages on iPhone, you can fix it by using a third-party tool iMyFone Fixppo, a professional tool that helps you fix any iOS issues without data loss.

Fix iOS System without Data Loss

Fixppo product
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search icon iMyFone Fixppo

Steps on how to fix this issue with the standard mode of iMyFone Fixppo

Step 1: Download iMyFone Fixppo on your PC, then connect your iPhone to the PC to proceed.

Step 2: Choose Standard Mode and enter the next step.

fixppo standard mode

Step 3: When the right firmware for your device appears on the screen, click Download button to begin getting the firmware for fixing. 

download firmware file for fixing can't search messages on iphone

Step 4: Click on Start Standard Repair for the program to begin the process of fixing your device.  

start the standard repair

When it's completed, your iPhone will be restarted. Please check if you can search messages on iPhone now.

To Conclude

That's all methods you can try to use if you can't seach messages on iPhone. It is highly advisable to use iOS System Repair Program without complicated operation steps. Feel free to leave your comments if you have any problems.