Accessibility: TalkBack on TextInput editing changed behaviour

[andrea-martinez-dev]

Description

When editing a TextInput with a state controlled value, TalkBack now announces "Ab replaced A", sometimes preceded by the pressed key too.

Example:
*pressing A
Talkback says "A replaced A"
*pressing b
Talkback says "Ab replaced Ab. Ab."

and so on, see attached video with audio on.

If no onChangeText is set, the announcement is correctly only the pressed key.

I tried setting the prop accessibilityLiveRegion='none' but it has no effect.

I suppose it could be due to some recent Android update because previously the announcement was correct.

Tested on Google Pixel 7 Pro with Android 15, italian-speaking device.

Steps to reproduce

1. create a standard state controlled TextInput like in the RN documentation:

2. Activate TalkBack on Android
3. Edit the text field

React Native Version

0.73.7

Affected Platforms

Runtime - Android

Output of npx react-native info

System:
  OS: macOS 14.6.1
  CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M2
  Memory: 75.34 MB / 16.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 18.20.5
    path: ~/Projects/XXX/node_modules/.bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.19
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.8.2
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v22.7.0/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2022.11.28.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.15.2
    path: /Users/XXX/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 23.4
      - iOS 17.4
      - macOS 14.4
      - tvOS 17.4
      - visionOS 1.1
      - watchOS 10.4
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2022.3 AI-223.8836.35.2231.10811636
  Xcode:
    version: 15.3/15E204a
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 11.0.20.1
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.7.6
    path: /Users/XXX/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli": Not Found
  react:
    installed: 18.2.0
    wanted: 18.2.0
  react-native:
    installed: 0.73.7
    wanted: 0.73.7
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false

Stacktrace or Logs

-

Reproducer

Screenshots and Videos

textinput.mp4

[react-native-bot]

Warning

Unsupported version: It looks like your issue or the example you provided uses an unsupported version of React Native.

Due to the number of issues we receive, we're currently only accepting new issues against one of the supported versions. Please upgrade to latest and verify if the issue persists (alternatively, create a new project and repro the issue in it). If you cannot upgrade, please open your issue on StackOverflow to get further community support.

[react-native-bot]

Warning

Missing reproducer: We could not detect a reproducible example in your issue report. Please provide either:

• If your bug is UI related: a Snack
• If your bug is build/upgrade related: a project using our Reproducer Template
• Otherwise send us a Pull Request with the RNTesterPlayground.js edited to reproduce your bug.

[react-native-bot]

Warning

Unsupported version: It looks like your issue or the example you provided uses an unsupported version of React Native.

Due to the number of issues we receive, we're currently only accepting new issues against one of the supported versions. Please upgrade to latest and verify if the issue persists (alternatively, create a new project and repro the issue in it). If you cannot upgrade, please open your issue on StackOverflow to get further community support.