Apple’s built-in Spotlight search feature is a lot more functional than you think. It lets you connect more directly with apps and the information they contain but, on a few occasions, you may find that some apps fail to show up in iPhone search for no known reasons. Let’s find out how to fix it and regain quick access to common searches again!
How to fix apps fail to show up in iPhone search problem

Spotlight search is one of those features that hides in plain sight on your iOS Home screen. It even allows you to install apps from the App Store without leaving Spotlight itself but what to do when you’re not seeing the expected results when searching your iPhone. For example, when apps fail to show up in iPhone search, you’ll have to search for them manually, spending both, time and effort. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for it.
- Go to your iPhone Settings.
- Tap Siri & Search.
- Scroll down to your most frequently used apps.
- Tap to expand its list of options.
- Check if Show App in Search option is disabled.
- Enable it.
- Enable the Show Content in Search option.
- Check if the app shows up in iPhone search
Thus by making this minor change, you can make Spotlight Search on iPhone more accessible than ever before.
Why do some apps not show up in iPhone search?
The sole reason that can be attributed to this problem is that the Show App in Search and Show Content in Search options related to the app in question has been disabled. Here’s how to fix it!
On your iPhone Home Screen, tap the Settings icon.

Scroll down to Sir& Search heading. Tap the side arrow next to it to expand its settings.

Go to the app you most frequently use but is no more visible under the Spotlight Search on iPhone.

Tap the app icon to expand it. Under the While Searching section, you should find the Show App in Search entry. Make sure the toggle next to it is enabled. If it’s not, manually enable it by sliding the toggle to the On position.

Similarly, enable the Show Content in Search option.
Hereafter, when you use the Spotlight search to find and access the app, you should find it listed under the search results.
Hope that makes sense!
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