Spotlight on iPad finds apps and contacts, content in apps like Mail and Messages, and even text in your photos using Live Text. It’s also where you’ll check stock and currency information, and open webpages, apps, and images from your photo library.
When you search for an app, shortcuts for your most likely next action appear in the Top Hit. If you search for Photos, for example, you’ll get a shortcut to the Favorites album. You can even take quick action right from your search, like starting a timer, turning on a Focus, or finding the name of a song with Shazam.
When you turn on Siri AI (Beta)* on supported iPad models, Spotlight becomes where you start a conversation with Siri: ask for personal context, get broad world knowledge, or take actions across your app, all from the same place. See Get started with Siri AI on iPad.
Note: Siri AI is available in beta on iPadOS 27 or later on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) or iPad model with M1 or later set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iPadOS. Usage limits may apply.
Search with iPad
- Go to the Home Screen or the Lock Screen.
- Swipe down from the middle of the screen.
- Enter what you’re looking for in the search field.
- Do any of the following:
- Initiate your search: Tap Go or Search.
- Open a suggested app: Tap the app.
- Take quick action: Start a timer, turn on a Focus, find the name of a song with Shazam, run any shortcut, and more. Search for an app’s name to see shortcuts available for the app, or create your own using the Shortcuts app.
- Check a suggested website: Tap it.
- Get more information about a search suggestion: Tap it. Tap one of the results to open it.
- Start a new search: Tap the Clear Text button in the search field.
Note: Third-party app content appears in search results only if the app supports Spotlight indexing. When something you’re looking for doesn’t appear, the app might not support Spotlight search.
Choose which apps and content to include in Search
- Start the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap Search and scroll down. Tap an app.
- Turn Show App in Search or Show Content in Search on or off.
Turn off Location-Based Suggestions
Spotlight may use your location to refine suggestions when Location Services is on, though you can turn off Location-Based Suggestions.
- Start the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap Privacy & Security and then tap Location Services.
- Tap System Services, then turn off Suggestions & Search.
Search in apps
To help you find something within the app, many apps include a search field or a search button. In the Maps app, for example, you can search for a specific location.
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In an app, tap the search field or the Search button (if there is one).
If you don’t see a search field or button, swipe down from the top.
- Type your search and then tap Search.
Add a dictionary
If you add dictionaries on iPad, they can be used in searches.
- Start the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap General and tap Dictionary. Select a dictionary.
*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.
See also
