Apple Explains Why Spotlight Indexing Can Take Days After an Update - MacRumors
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Apple Explains Why Spotlight Indexing Can Take Days After an Update

macOS 27 Search or AskFor anyone who's experienced the lengthy post-update indexing process when trialing the beta version of iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, or visionOS 27: Apple has published a Spotlight support document that explains what's going on.

Apple says indexing can take hours or even days depending on how much data you have stored. It completes more quickly when your device is not in use, and when it is connected to power and the internet. Apple also confirms that the index is stored locally, remains private, and is not shared with Apple or any of your other devices.

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Top Rated Comments

18 minutes ago at 08:12 am
It doesn't explain anything of the kind. It just says "it might take hours or even days". Doesn't say why.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 minutes ago at 08:15 am
>faster while connected to the Internet
>stored locally

Hm
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
14 minutes ago at 08:16 am
Photos suffers from this multi-day indexing as well.

As far as I can tell, Apple is just trying so so so so hard to not impact users or CPU that they take forever to run through their indexing (again, not just Spotlight but some other apps as well).

I want it done right away. Go for it. And tell me the percentage complete, please.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
podycust Avatar
15 minutes ago at 08:16 am
If everything is stored locally why does indexing need an internet connection?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tkermit Avatar
7 minutes ago at 08:24 am

They might secretly collect some data !
Are you accusing them of lying?

This is a local, private index that stays on your device and isn’t shared with Apple or your other devices.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 minutes ago at 08:23 am

If everything is stored locally why does indexing need an internet connection?

>faster while connected to the Internet
>stored locally

Hm
It says why in the support article. So that emails can be downloaded from your email server to be indexed locally.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)