The second beta release of iOS 17.1, released earlier this week, includes a fix for a bug affecting search functionality in the Messages app for some iPhone 15 users.
Early on, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models reported having issues with the search functionality in the Messages app, as the search tool only displayed recent messages after transferring content from another iPhone.
MacRumors reports that several users across the MacRumors Forums and on Reddit have complained of the issue since the devices launched in September.
Many affected users report that the issue has been fixed in the second iOS 17.1 beta. It may take up to a day for the device to index and restore the older messages. Some users report that they had to go to: “Settings” -> “Messages” -> “Siri & Search,” turn off all of the settings shown, restart the iPhone, and re-enable those settings in order for the issue to be resolved.