[Android][Talkback] Can't focus on TextInput via double tap

[PeoB]

🐛 Bug Report

When using <TextInput> in combination with TalkBack on android you can't double tap to give the field focus. Double tap and hold on the other hand works to give focus and providing the context menu (paste, select all etc)

To Reproduce

Add <TextInput /> to your project and start TalkBack, swipe your way to the <TextInput /> and double tap. You will get a "thump" sounding sound and nothing else will happen.
Android 8.0(API 26+) or greater is needed to reproduce, earlier versions everything seems to work as expected.

Expected Behavior

Focus to be set to the TextInput and keyboard showing.

Code Example

export default class App extends Component<Props> {
  render() {
    return (
      <View style={styles.container}>
        <TextInput />
        <Text style={styles.welcome}>Welcome to React Native!</Text>
        <Text style={styles.instructions}>To get started, edit App.js</Text>
        <Text style={styles.instructions}>{instructions}</Text>
      </View>
    );
  }
}

Other

If you add an accessible view around the TextInput and you double tap that focus correctly goes to the TextInput.

<View accessible accessibilityLabel="Double tap me!" >
  <TextInput />
</View>

Environment

  React Native Environment Info:
    System:
      OS: macOS 10.14.4
      CPU: (12) x64 Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-8950HK CPU @ 2.90GHz
      Memory: 1.04 GB / 32.00 GB
      Shell: 3.2.57 - /bin/bash
    Binaries:
      Node: 8.15.0 - ~/.nvm/versions/node/v8.15.0/bin/node
      Yarn: 1.13.0 - /usr/local/bin/yarn
      npm: 6.4.1 - ~/.nvm/versions/node/v8.15.0/bin/npm
      Watchman: 4.9.0 - /usr/local/bin/watchman
    SDKs:
      iOS SDK:
        Platforms: iOS 12.2, macOS 10.14, tvOS 12.2, watchOS 5.2
      Android SDK:
        API Levels: 28
        Build Tools: 28.0.3
        System Images: android-27 | Google APIs Intel x86 Atom, android-28 | Google APIs Intel x86 Atom
    IDEs:
      Android Studio: 3.3 AI-182.5107.16.33.5199772
      Xcode: 10.2.1/10E1001 - /usr/bin/xcodebuild
    npmPackages:
      react: 16.8.3 => 16.8.3 
      react-native: ^0.59 => 0.59.5 
    npmGlobalPackages:
      react-native-cli: 2.0.1

[PeoB]

Same issue can be reproduced on amongst other, Facebook marketplace, the field "send message" can't be focused by double tap.

[fhugoduarte]

Hello!!

I had the same issue and from what I've been researching, React Native disables natively received "requests" for focus (Android). But I found a way, wrapping the TextInput in a TouchableWithoutFeedback.

It went something like this:

focusInput = () => {
    this.input && this.input.focus();
  };

<TouchableWithoutFeedback onPress={this.focusInput} accessible={false}>
  <View style={[style, styles.main]}>
    <TextInput
      accessible={true}
      ref={(ref) => this.input}
      importantForAccessibility="no"
    />
  </View>
</TouchableWithoutFeedback>

So the focus is given by the java script code when the TouchableWithoutFeedback is clicked. The importantForAccessibility = "no" property is used to prevent TextInput from being focused with TalkBack.

[adil-s]

same here, I just wonder why accessibility is not being taken seriously!
the first issue regarding this bug was open in 2017. but noone seems to care to fix it.

[stale]

Hey there, it looks like there has been no activity on this issue recently. Has the issue been fixed, or does it still require the community's attention? This issue may be closed if no further activity occurs. You may also label this issue as a "Discussion" or add it to the "Backlog" and I will leave it open. Thank you for your contributions.

[adil-s]

no, the issue has not been fixed. could you add it ot the discussion?