Open Spotlight to search your Mac and launch apps by typing

Why it happens

Spotlight is the Mac's search box. It finds apps, files, folders, emails and System Settings pages, and it can do quick sums and unit conversions too. It's the fastest way to open almost anything without hunting through folders.

How to fix it

1. Hold the Command key (⌘, either side of the space bar) and tap the space bar. A search box appears in the middle of your screen.

2. Start typing, for example the first letters of an app like Calculator, a file name, or a setting such as Wi-Fi. Results update as you type.

3. Press Return to open the top result, or use the arrow keys to pick another one and press Return.

4. Prefer the mouse? Click the magnifying glass near the right end of the menu bar. If your keyboard has a magnifying glass on one of the top-row keys, that opens Spotlight too.

5. To close Spotlight without opening anything, press Escape.

Still not fixed?

1. Command-Space does nothing? Check that Show Spotlight search is turned on in Keyboard Shortcuts, under Spotlight, and that no other shortcut uses Command-Space.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Spotlight›Show Spotlight search

2. No magnifying glass in the menu bar? Turn on Spotlight under Menu Bar Controls in Menu Bar settings. Command-Space works either way.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Spotlight

3. Spotlight opens but can't find a file you know is there? Restart your Mac, give it a few minutes, then try again. Spotlight keeps an index of your files, and a restart lets it catch up.

4. If Spotlight still misses files or won't open after a restart, contact Apple Support. They can help rebuild the search index safely.