Users of iPhone 17, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max have reported temporary performance slowdowns following the update to iOS 27. Apple confirmed that these issues are linked to the Spotlight indexing process, which scans files, apps, emails, photos, and system settings to create a local search directory.
The company explains that indexing occurs entirely on-device. The initial indexing process is the most resource-intensive phase and is most noticeable to users. The time required for completion depends on the volume of data stored on the device, with Apple noting it can take hours or even days to finish.
Media reports indicate that some devices may require up to a week for the process to complete. Spotlight indexing is triggered during initial device setup, after software updates, or when significant data changes occur. Incremental updates performed after the initial indexing are significantly faster.
To expedite the indexing process, Apple recommends keeping the device connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This allows the system to download necessary data, such as emails, for indexing purposes. Once completed, the index enables faster search results and allows Siri AI to retrieve information from calendars and messages.
