Customize Spotlight to Search Smarter [iOS Tips]

One of the best things about iOS is the search function. Whether you have too many apps like I do, use it as an app launcher in its own right, or just need to find a specific email or contact, Spotlight is the way to go. However, you might not ever need to search your devices calendar app, or you might not have any podcasts, audiobooks, or voice memos to search, either. If so, today’s tip is for you.

Launch the Settings app, then tap on the General tab. Once in there, tap on Spotlight Search, which is near the bottom of the screen. You’ll see all the categories that Spotlight will search when you use it. Simply tap to uncheck the types of data you don’t want it to look through, and you’ll be spared having them included in the search. In addition, tap, hold, and drag the categories’ little drag handles to the right–they look like three lines stacked on top of each other–to re-order the categories. Spotlight will search the ones nearer the top first.

Tap the Home button to go back to the main screen on your iOS device, and swipe to the right to launch the Spotlight search. It should then only give you results from the categories you left checked.

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