Manage the metadata stores used by Spotlight.
Syntax
mdutil [-pEsav] [-i on | off] volume ...
Key
-p Spotlight caches indexes of some network devices locally. This
option requests that all local caches be flushed to the appropriate
network device.
-E This flag will cause each local store for the volumes indicated to be
erased. The stores will be rebuilt if appropriate.
-i on | off
Set the indexing status for the provided volumes to on or off. Note
that indexing can be delayed due to low disk space or other conditions.
-s Display the indexing status of the listed volumes.
-a Apply command to all volumes.
-v Print verbose information when available.
To get a list of the available attributes for use in constructing queries, see mdimport(1), particularly the -X switch.
Examples
Show the indexing status of the root volume:
$ mdutil -s /
Erase and rebuild the spotlight index:
$ mdutil -E
“After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life” ~ Sophia Loren
Related macOS commands:
find - Search for files that meet a desired criteria
mdfind - Spotlight search
mdimport - Import file hierarchies into the Spotlight datastore
mdls - List the metadata attributes for a specified file.