How to fix Settings Search Not Working after iOS 26 update: iPhone 16

Apple’s iOS 26 update on iPhone 16,15,14 has introduced several new features, but many users are reporting an unusual issue — the search function inside the iPhone Settings app no longer works. Even if you type in a visible word like Battery, the search shows “No Results.”

This bug has frustrated many iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 users, and even some Mac users on macOS Tahoe 26 are facing similar search issues inside native apps like Calendar.

Why is Settings Search Not Working on iOS 26?

Based on user reports, the issue seems tied to the iOS 26 update itself. Possible causes include:

A bug in the Spotlight indexing system.
Dictionary corruption after the update.
System settings not refreshing properly after the install.

How to fix Unable to search in settings on iPhone after iOS 26 update

If you’re affected by this bug, here are some solutions users found helpful:

1. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart has temporarily fixed the issue for some users.

2. Reset All Settings

Go to:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
This will not delete your data but will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other preferences.

3. Refresh Dictionaries

Open Settings > General > Dictionary.
Uncheck all English dictionaries and Apple Dictionary.
Exit the menu, then re-enable them.
Wait a few minutes for re-indexing.

4. Use Home Screen or Spotlight Search

While Settings search may not work, you can still find features via Home Screen search (swipe down) or Spotlight on Mac.

5. Submit Feedback to Apple

If none of these work, visit feedback.apple.com to report the bug. Apple usually releases a quick patch once enough reports are received.

Final Thoughts

The iOS 26 Settings search bug is clearly linked to the update and has been affecting multiple devices. Until Apple issues a fix, using Spotlight search and applying the above workarounds are the best options. If you heavily rely on in-app search, keep checking for the next iOS 26.x update — Apple is likely to patch this soon.