A11yModule.setKeyboardFocus Not Working on iOS

[ayushmahajan12]

The setKeyboardFocus method from the A11yModule is not working on iOS, while it works perfectly on Android. I am attempting to switch focus between two Touchable elements using their ref.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Create two TouchableOpacity elements in a React Native app.
2. Assign ref to each element.
3. Call A11yModule?.setKeyboardFocus(ref) to switch focus to one of the elements.
4. Test the behavior on Android and iOS.

Expected Behavior:
Focus should move to the target element on iOS when setKeyboardFocus is called, just as it does on Android.

Actual Behavior:
No focus movement occurs on iOS.

Code

`import { A11yModule } from 'react-native-a11y';
import React, { useRef } from 'react';
import { TouchableOpacity, Text } from 'react-native';

const AccessibilityTest = () => {
const firstItemRef = useRef(null);
const secondItemRef = useRef(null);

const handleSwitchFocus = () => {
    A11yModule?.setKeyboardFocus(firstItemRef);
};

return (
    <>
        <TouchableOpacity ref={firstItemRef}>
            <Text>First Item</Text>
        </TouchableOpacity>
        <TouchableOpacity ref={secondItemRef} onPress={handleSwitchFocus}>
            <Text>Second Item</Text>
        </TouchableOpacity>
    </>
);

};

export default AccessibilityTest;
`

ScreenRecording

ScreenRecording_12-17-2024.18-07-25_1.MP4

Environment:
Library Version: 0.5.6
React Native Version: 0.74.5
iOS Version: 18.1.1
Device/Simulator: Device

Additional Notes:
I have ensured that: ref is correctly assigned.

[ayushmahajan12]

Hi @ArturKalach , @joonmanji ,

If possible could you please take this on priority.

Thanks in advance :)

[ArturKalach]

Hello @ayushmahajan12,
The current solution for physical keyboard focusing on iOS is a bit outdated. It might have some issues with moving focus between different UIViewControllers.

I will try to update the package, but it might take some time. In the meantime, you can try using another package to solve this problem: react-native-external-keyboard. Additionally, it also includes auto-focus and tint color functionality.

There also react-native-a11y-order to controll TalkBack/Voice over order, and react-native-is-keyboard-connected for listening whether a keyboard is connected.

---

The main idea was to split the library for a better update strategy and package minimization, allowing you to use only specific functionality. It help to release new features, but there are problems with updating this one.

[ayushmahajan12]

ok Thank you @ArturKalach