It unfortunately doesn't work well if you've enabled Messages in iCloud [1]. You can only search the messages that're in your device's local cache. Which isn't

It unfortunately doesn't work well if you've enabled Messages in iCloud [1]. You can only search the messages that're in your device's local cache. Which isn't actively cleared much, that I've seen, but it does mean that it's not very helpful for any messages that predate the current install of your OS. I'd assume this is why they discontinued it, rather than adapt it to the new from-iOS Messages in Big Sur. [1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208532 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208532