---
title: "Bug with X search source: command not working correctly and how to work
  around it"
url: https://roboin.io/article/en/2026/05/29/how-to-fix-x-search-source-command-not-working-issues/
description: In X (Twitter) search, a bug is occurring where adding search
  operators (search commands) such as source:twitter_web_app or
  source:twitter_for_iphone to a search query causes the [Latest] tab to show no
  results, or causes posts containing the string “source:twitter_web_app” to
  appear. There is currently no complete fix for this bug, but you can view some
  search results by using the [Top] tab.
publishedDate: 2026-05-29T07:52:15.044Z
modifiedDate: 2026-05-29T07:52:15.044Z
thumbnail: https://roboin.io/api/media/file/x-rouce-search-operator-not-working.png
thumbnailAlt: 「from:keita_roboin source:twitter_web_app」の検索結果に1件も表示されていないようすを示したスクリーンショット
thumbnailCaption: N/A
---

# Bug with X search source: command not working correctly and how to work around it

In X (Twitter) search, a bug is occurring where adding search operators (search commands) such as `source:twitter_web_app` or `source:twitter_for_iphone` to a search query causes the [Latest] tab to show no results, or causes posts containing the string “source:twitter\_web\_app” to appear.

There is currently no complete fix for this bug, but you can view some search results by using the [Top] tab.

## What is the `source:` operator?

X provides a `source:` search operator that lets you filter posts by the app or environment they were posted from.

Common filters are as follows:

- Posts published from the web version: `source:twitter_web_app`
- Posts published from the iPhone app: `source:twitter_for_iphone`
- Posts published from the Android app: `source:twitter_for_android`

This search operator, written in the form `source:<client_name>`, lets you filter X posts by the client they were posted from.

The major official clients are listed above, but for posts automatically published from apps and similar services, it may also be possible to filter by the app name, with spaces replaced by underscores.

## Using the `source:` operator in the [Latest] tab causes search results not to appear

Currently, when `source:` is included in a search query on X, a bug can cause the [Latest] tab to show no posts at all, or cause the `source:` operator to be treated as a search string rather than an operator.

For example, searching for `lang:ja source:twitter_web_app` should normally display Japanese posts published from the web.

At present, however, when the search query includes the `source:` operator, the [Latest] tab may return empty results, making it impossible to view posts in chronological order, or it may display posts that contain the text “source:twitter\_web\_app.”

![「from:keita\_roboin source:twitter\_web\_app」の検索結果に1件も表示されていないようすを示したスクリーンショット](https://roboin.io/api/media/file/x-rouce-search-operator-not-working.png)

In other words, with `lang:ja source:twitter_web_app`, Japanese posts containing the text “source:twitter\_web\_app” may be displayed regardless of where they were posted from.

This bug is likely caused by the `source:` search operator being interpreted as a search string rather than as an operator.

If no posts containing text such as “source:twitter\_web\_app” are found, the search results may appear empty.

X is also experiencing similar issues where some search results do not appear, or posts from the most recent seven days are not displayed.

[X search Latest tab not showing posts from the last 7 days: how to fix it](https://roboin.io/article/en/2026/04/13/how-to-fix-x-latest-tab-not-showing-posts-from-the-last-7-days/)

## Workaround for using the `source:` operator

This bug occurs only in the [Latest] tab of search results and does not occur in the [Top] tab.

Therefore, by opening the [Top] tab instead of the [Latest] tab, you can view search results with the `source:` operator applied.

In the [Top] tab, posts are not sorted chronologically, and some posts may not be displayed.

If you want to check recent posts, using the `since:` operator as well is recommended.

For example, to search for Japanese posts published from the web on or after May 28, 2026, search for `lang:ja source:twitter_web_app since:2026-05-28` and open the [Top] tab.

Because this is the [Top] tab, posts are not necessarily sorted chronologically, but filtering by date lets you view only recent posts.

## Conclusion

A bug is occurring in X search where using the `source:` operator causes search results not to appear in the [Latest] tab, or causes posts containing the string “source:” to be displayed instead.

Search results appear without issue in the [Top] tab, so using the [Top] tab is recommended.

To limit results to recent posts, you can combine it with the `since:` operator to filter search results by date.

## Verification details and sources

### Verification environment

Mobile

- OS: Android 17
- Device: Google Pixel 8
- Apps: X for Android version 11.98.0-beta.0 and X Lite for Android version 11.98.3-release.01

PC

- OS: Windows 11
- Browser: Zen Browser version 1.20.2b

### Verification details

I confirmed that the `source:` command does not work in the [Latest] tab in the X for Android app, the X Lite for Android app, or the web version, while it does work in the [Top] tab.

### Last verification date

2026-06-09T05:00:00.000Z

### Changelog

- May 29, 2026: Initial publication
- June 9, 2026: Added the verification environment