I updated my work Mac to version 27 late last week. I've used Apple Mail for about 20 years instead of Outlook because I prefer its simple interface and fast search. Since the update, though, search has become nearly unusable. I often need to find exact strings such as UPC codes or product numbers, but Mail now returns loosely similar matches instead. For example, searching for a five-digit code containing "067" may show messages with "061" or seven-digit numbers, along with many emails that don't contain the requested text at all. Is there a way to disable this fuzzy matching, force exact searches, or otherwise restore the old search behavior?
2 Answers
New operating-system releases can introduce search regressions, especially when they add or change how matching works. If reindexing finishes and Mail still returns approximate matches instead of exact product numbers, installing the next maintenance update—or temporarily using a more specific search filter—may be the practical workaround.
The update may have triggered a Spotlight reindex, and Mail relies on that index for search. While indexing is in progress, results can be incomplete or inaccurate. Check whether the Mac is still indexing and give it time to finish; if it appears stuck, rebuilding the Spotlight index may help.
That could explain it, although it’s surprising that indexing would still be affecting results several days later. I may let it run a little longer and then try rebuilding the index.
That’s what I’m worried about. I expected a major release to be tested more thoroughly, especially since exact text searches are essential to my daily work.