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iOS 17.1 Beta 2 Fixes Messages Search Bug on iPhone 15 Models

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A bug impacting search functionality in the Messages app for some iPhone 15 users appears to be fixed in the second beta of iOS 17.1 released this week.

iOS-17-Messages-Feature.jpg

Some early adopters of iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models have complained that the Messages app's search tool only displays recent messages after transferring content from another iPhone. The issue has been mentioned by several users across the MacRumors Forums and Reddit since the devices launched earlier this month.

The bug is present on all iOS 17 versions up to the first iOS 17.1 beta, but many affected users said it has been fixed as of the second iOS 17.1 beta. It may take a day or longer for the device to index and restore the older messages after installing the update. Some users said they needed to open the Settings app, tap on Messages, tap on Siri & Search, turn off all of the settings shown, restart the iPhone, and re-enable those settings to fix the issue.

iOS 17.1 is expected to be released in late October, so users not interested in installing the beta might have to wait a few more weeks for the fix.

(Thanks, Ray Wong!)

Article Link: iOS 17.1 Beta 2 Fixes Messages Search Bug on iPhone 15 Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/05/ios-17-1-beta-2-seems-to-fix-messages-search-bug/
Last edited:
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woohoo!! This was a big feature I used and was really making me consider returning the 15 Pro and sticking with the 12 Pro.
 
Risco said:
Thank goodness. Very frustrating losing all my message photos and links, making search useless.

Can anyone else confirm that this truly fixes the problem?
Click to expand...
Can confirm! This was driving me crazy, and just noticed about an hour ago that everything was returning.
 
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yes, I saw have this issue too on our 12 and 13 with ios 17. It makes it very difficult to clean out old photos and videos in message threads (which can suck up a ton of icloud storage fast if it doesn't actually show all of them so you can remove them or save them when you select see all). will be happy to see this fixed
 
I really hope this is the case. 17.1 should be out by the end of the month so I’ll just wait for it.
 
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If all messages are still there, just not searchable, why doesn't iOS backup and restore the index DB?
 
Mr. Dee said:
My iPhone X is stuck at iOS 16, but if it supported iOS 17, I wouldn't be upgrading until late summer 2024 anyway.
I am realizing, both the hardware and software these days, its best to wait a while before upgrading.
I won't purchase the iPhone 16 Pro Max until iOS 18.3.
Click to expand...
Indeed. That’s why I updated all my devices to iOS 16.6.1 before Apple stopped signing it. I knew I’d stay here for a while.
 
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Eldaerenth Faexidor said:
For me, mail search isn’t working either. Such an annoying bug.
Click to expand...
Same here, both messages and mail are a disaster when you need to search
For Mail I solved it using an app that does a very good job-talking on the Mac
I gave up searching anything even in previous iOS
 
katbel said:
Same here, both messages and mail are a disaster when you need to search
For Mail I solved it using an app that does a very good job
Click to expand...
I did the same. Unfortunately for my iCloud mail I kinda prefer to use the native iOS mail app. Hope they fix it soon. It’s beyond annoying.
 
I’d imagine this bug affects all models, not just the 15 series, right?
 
Banglazed said:
I would advise to update to 16.7 as it addressed a number of security issues

About the security content of iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7 - Apple Support

This document describes the security content of iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
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You’re right, it fixes a lot of security flaws. However, Apple insist on making this version OTA-only, and I’m not sure about performing an OTA update, I always install IPSW through my Mac. And if something goes wrong with the OTA update (I.e. it gets hot, or battery life is impacted, etcetera) I have no way to make a clean install of iOS 16.6.1. My only way would be installing iOS 17.0.3 and I don’t want to yet.

However, I appreciate your input, as well as your labor in the forum.
 
ios3 said:
I’d imagine this bug affects all models, not just the 15 series, right?
Click to expand...

Almost certainly, but the bug appears to only impact newly setup devices and almost all of those are 15s.
 
Populus said:
You’re right, it fixes a lot of security flaws. However, Apple insist on making this version OTA-only, and I’m not sure about performing an OTA update, I always install IPSW through my Mac. And if something goes wrong with the OTA update (I.e. it gets hot, or battery life is impacted, etcetera) I have no way to make a clean install of iOS 16.6.1. My only way would be installing iOS 17.0.3 and I don’t want to yet.

However, I appreciate your input, as well as your labor in the forum.
Click to expand...
Are you sure you are not able to get the IPSW through Finder/iTunes? Sometimes, there is a delay making them available through their server on release day. However, you can grab it on through the dev portal but it doesn't have IPSW for devices lower than 8. Also, Apple did released the same build to support iPhone 8 to X just yesterday.

1696524173613.png


 
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Banglazed said:
Are you sure you are not able to get the IPSW through Finder/iTunes? Sometimes, there is a delay making them available through their server on release day. However, you can grab it on through the dev portal.

View attachment 2289365
Click to expand...
Oh God. Is it there an iOS 16.7 (final build) IPSW? If so, I’d like to install it. I guess Finder will offer me the latest iOS 17 version, but I’m not sure. I don’t pay the dev account but I think my Apple ID is registered as dev, because the system is offering me iOS beta profiles, both public and dev.

I’ll have to look into it, many thanks!
 
Populus said:
Oh God. Is it there an iOS 16.7 (final build) IPSW? If so, I’d like to install it. I don’t pay the dev account but I think my Apple ID is registered as dev. Because the system is offering iOS betas.

I’ll have to look into it, many thanks!
Click to expand...
I updated the post as the IPSW on the dev portal seems to only be for 8 and X models. Hopefully, you have those devices. It's a free dev account as you can skip the payment.
 
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