Apple says these three things can speed up the new Spotlight indexing

Apple Shares Tips to Speed Up Spotlight Indexing in Upcoming Software Updates

Apple has released guidance to help users accelerate the Spotlight indexing process in its forthcoming operating system updates. The company outlined three key conditions that can reduce the time required for devices to catalog searchable content.

The indexing process creates a local database of files, messages, photos, contacts, and other data to enable faster searches through Spotlight and Siri. This database is stored individually on each device, meaning users with multiple Apple products will need to complete indexing separately on each one.

According to Apple’s new support document, the initial indexing phase may take several hours or even days, depending on the volume of data stored on the device. Subsequent updates to the index occur more quickly. The company identified three factors that can expedite the process:

First, indexing progresses faster when the device is not actively in use. Second, connecting the device to a power source helps speed up the process. Third, a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection ensures that any additional data, such as emails, can be downloaded for indexing without delay.

Apple also provided methods for users to monitor indexing progress. On Mac computers, an indicator appears at the top of the Spotlight or Siri window when users press Command-Space. On iPhones, iPads, and other devices, a notification in the Settings app may indicate that Search and Siri are still optimizing. Additionally, the Mail app may display a separate notification if email indexing remains incomplete.

The company had previously begun preparing for this change with iOS 26.6, which included optimizations to the Spotlight index ahead of the iOS 27 release. The new support document also addresses troubleshooting steps for users experiencing unexpected search results.

The upcoming software updates—including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27—were announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year. The full support document is available on Apple’s official website.