compose: Focus the message composer on entry for screen readers

stream-chat-android-compose/consumer-rules.pro

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# Compose does not expose a public API to move screen-reader (accessibility) focus, so the SDK
+# resolves it reflectively via AndroidComposeView.getSemanticsOwner() when placing the screen
+# reader on the composer as a message view opens. Keep that method so the lookup keeps working in
+# R8-minified release builds; without it the call fails safe (focus is simply not moved).
+-keepclassmembers class androidx.compose.ui.platform.AndroidComposeView {
+    androidx.compose.ui.semantics.SemanticsOwner getSemanticsOwner();
+}

stream-chat-android-compose/src/main/java/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/components/messages/GiphyMessageContent.kt

@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 package io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.components.messages
 
-import android.view.accessibility.AccessibilityManager
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.focusable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
@@ -30,7 +29,6 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.Icon
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.CompositionLocalProvider
-import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
@@ -43,7 +41,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.focus.FocusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.focus.focusRequester
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.toArgb
-import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalView
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.testTag
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
@@ -52,7 +49,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.contentDescription
 import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.semantics
 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
-import androidx.core.content.getSystemService
 import coil3.ColorImage
 import coil3.compose.LocalAsyncImagePreviewHandler
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.R
@@ -65,6 +61,7 @@ import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.MessageStyling
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.StreamTokens
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.AsyncImagePreviewHandler
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.applyIf
+import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.rememberIsTouchExplorationEnabled
 import io.getstream.chat.android.models.Attachment
 import io.getstream.chat.android.models.AttachmentType
 import io.getstream.chat.android.models.Message
@@ -208,26 +205,6 @@ public fun GiphyMessageContent(
 
 private const val PreviewFocusRequestDelayMs = 100L
 
-/**
- * Observes [AccessibilityManager.isTouchExplorationEnabled] and recomposes when it toggles. Used
- * to gate focus-stealing behaviour so we only request TalkBack focus when an explore-by-touch
- * service (e.g. TalkBack) is active — otherwise we would yank Compose focus away from the
- * composer's text field for sighted users and dismiss the IME.
- */
-@Composable
-private fun rememberIsTouchExplorationEnabled(): Boolean {
-    val context = LocalContext.current
-    val manager = remember(context) { context.getSystemService<AccessibilityManager>() } ?: return false
-    var enabled by remember(manager) { mutableStateOf(manager.isTouchExplorationEnabled) }
-    DisposableEffect(manager) {
-        val listener = AccessibilityManager.TouchExplorationStateChangeListener { enabled = it }
-        manager.addTouchExplorationStateChangeListener(listener)
-        enabled = manager.isTouchExplorationEnabled
-        onDispose { manager.removeTouchExplorationStateChangeListener(listener) }
-    }
-    return enabled
-}
-
 @Composable
 internal fun GiphyMessageContent() {
     val previewHandler = AsyncImagePreviewHandler {

stream-chat-android-compose/src/main/java/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/messages/ChannelScreen.kt

@@ -43,9 +43,12 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.rememberCoroutineScope
+import androidx.compose.runtime.saveable.rememberSaveable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.withFrameNanos
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalResources
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalView
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.testTag
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
@@ -59,6 +62,7 @@ import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.components.moderatedmessage.Moderate
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.components.poll.PollAnswersDialog
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.components.poll.PollMoreOptionsDialog
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.components.poll.PollViewResultDialog
+import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.composer.ComposerInputTestTag
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.composer.MessageComposer
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.list.LocalSelectedMessageSnapshot
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.list.MessageList
@@ -70,7 +74,9 @@ import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.MessageActionsParams
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.MessageReactionPickerParams
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.ReactionsMenuParams
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.StreamSnackbarHost
+import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.rememberIsTouchExplorationEnabled
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.rememberMessageListState
+import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util.requestAccessibilityFocusForTestTag
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.viewmodel.messages.AttachmentsPickerViewModel
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.viewmodel.messages.ChannelViewModelFactory
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.viewmodel.messages.MessageComposerViewModel
@@ -96,6 +102,7 @@ import io.getstream.chat.android.ui.common.state.messages.list.SelectedMessageSt
 import io.getstream.chat.android.ui.common.state.messages.list.SendAnyway
 import io.getstream.chat.android.ui.common.state.messages.poll.PollSelectionType
 import io.getstream.chat.android.ui.common.state.messages.updateMessage
+import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
 import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
 
 /**
@@ -193,6 +200,8 @@ public fun ChannelScreen(
 
     BackHandler(enabled = true, onBack = backAction)
 
+    ComposerScreenReaderEntryFocus(listViewModel)
+
     ChannelScreenContentBox {
         Scaffold(
             modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
@@ -275,6 +284,43 @@ public fun ChannelScreen(
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * When a screen reader is active, moves the reading cursor onto the message composer input as a
+ * message view opens, without moving input focus, so the keyboard stays closed and the user
+ * double-taps to type. A thread is also a message view, so this re-arms when the view switches
+ * between the channel and a thread.
+ *
+ * The message list loads asynchronously and the screen reader re-asserts its own initial focus when
+ * content appears, so the cursor is re-applied while the list settles (keyed on the item count) and
+ * for a short window, then it stops so later incoming messages do not pull focus back.
+ *
+ * @param listViewModel The [MessageListViewModel] whose loading state drives the re-apply.
+ */
+@Composable
+private fun ComposerScreenReaderEntryFocus(listViewModel: MessageListViewModel) {
+    val isTouchExplorationEnabled = rememberIsTouchExplorationEnabled()
+    if (!isTouchExplorationEnabled) return
+
+    val view = LocalView.current
+    val messagesState by listViewModel.currentMessagesState
+    // Null in the channel, the parent message id in a thread; switching either way is a new entry.
+    val viewKey = messagesState.parentMessageId
+    var entryFocusSettled by rememberSaveable(viewKey) { mutableStateOf(false) }
+
+    LaunchedEffect(viewKey, messagesState.messageItems.size) {
+        if (entryFocusSettled) return@LaunchedEffect
+        // Defer a frame so the composer is laid out before moving the cursor onto it.
+        withFrameNanos {}
+        view.requestAccessibilityFocusForTestTag(ComposerInputTestTag)
+    }
+    LaunchedEffect(viewKey) {
+        delay(ComposerEntryFocusWindowMs)
+        entryFocusSettled = true
+    }
+}
+
+private const val ComposerEntryFocusWindowMs = 2000L
+
 @Composable
 private fun ChannelScreenContentBox(content: @Composable BoxScope.() -> Unit) {
     val selectedMessageSnapshot = remember { mutableStateOf<SelectedMessageSnapshot?>(null) }

stream-chat-android-compose/src/main/java/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/messages/composer/ComposerTestTags.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2026 Stream.io Inc. All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Stream License;
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    https://github.com/GetStream/stream-chat-android/blob/main/LICENSE
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.composer
+
+/**
+ * Test tag of the message composer text input. Single source of truth so the tag the composer sets
+ * stays in sync with consumers that look the node up by tag (e.g. moving screen-reader focus to it
+ * on screen entry).
+ */
+internal const val ComposerInputTestTag: String = "Stream_ComposerInputField"

stream-chat-android-compose/src/main/java/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/messages/composer/internal/MessageComposerInputCenterContent.kt

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.text.input.VisualTransformation
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextDecoration
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextOverflow
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
+import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages.composer.ComposerInputTestTag
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.ChatTheme
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.StreamDesign
 import io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.theme.StreamTokens
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ internal fun MessageComposerInputCenterContent(
     BasicTextField(
         modifier = modifier
             .fillMaxWidth()
-            .testTag("Stream_ComposerInputField")
+            .testTag(ComposerInputTestTag)
             .heightIn(min = 48.dp),
         value = textState,
         onValueChange = {

stream-chat-android-compose/src/main/java/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/util/AccessibilityUtils.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2014-2026 Stream.io Inc. All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Stream License;
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    https://github.com/GetStream/stream-chat-android/blob/main/LICENSE
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.util
+
+import android.view.View
+import android.view.accessibility.AccessibilityManager
+import android.view.accessibility.AccessibilityNodeInfo
+import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
+import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
+import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
+import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.SemanticsNode
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.SemanticsOwner
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.SemanticsProperties
+import androidx.compose.ui.semantics.getOrNull
+import androidx.core.content.getSystemService
+
+/**
+ * Observes [AccessibilityManager.isTouchExplorationEnabled] and recomposes when it toggles.
+ *
+ * Used to gate behaviour that should only apply when an explore-by-touch service (e.g. TalkBack)
+ * is active.
+ *
+ * @return `true` when an explore-by-touch service is active, `false` otherwise.
+ */
+@Composable
+internal fun rememberIsTouchExplorationEnabled(): Boolean {
+    val context = LocalContext.current
+    val manager = remember(context) { context.getSystemService<AccessibilityManager>() } ?: return false
+    var enabled by remember(manager) { mutableStateOf(manager.isTouchExplorationEnabled) }
+    DisposableEffect(manager) {
+        val listener = AccessibilityManager.TouchExplorationStateChangeListener { enabled = it }
+        manager.addTouchExplorationStateChangeListener(listener)
+        enabled = manager.isTouchExplorationEnabled
+        onDispose { manager.removeTouchExplorationStateChangeListener(listener) }
+    }
+    return enabled
+}
+
+/**
+ * Moves the screen-reader (accessibility) cursor to the composable tagged with [testTag] by
+ * dispatching [AccessibilityNodeInfo.ACTION_ACCESSIBILITY_FOCUS]. It moves only the reading cursor,
+ * not input focus, so no keyboard opens and the field does not become the input target.
+ *
+ * Compose exposes no public API for this, so the node id is resolved from the [SemanticsOwner]
+ * (the only non-public step). Fails safe: returns `false` and leaves focus untouched if anything
+ * cannot be resolved.
+ *
+ * @param testTag The test tag of the node to focus.
+ * @return `true` if the accessibility focus action was dispatched, `false` otherwise.
+ */
+internal fun View.requestAccessibilityFocusForTestTag(testTag: String): Boolean = runCatching {
+    val nodeId = semanticsNodeIdForTestTag(testTag) ?: return@runCatching false
+    val provider = accessibilityNodeProvider ?: return@runCatching false
+    provider.performAction(nodeId, AccessibilityNodeInfo.ACTION_ACCESSIBILITY_FOCUS, null)
+}.getOrDefault(false)
+
+/**
+ * Resolves the accessibility virtual-view id (the Compose semantics node id) of the node tagged with
+ * [testTag] under this view's [SemanticsOwner]. Returns `null` if this view is not a Compose host,
+ * the owner cannot be resolved, or no node carries the tag. Fails safe (never throws).
+ *
+ * @param testTag The test tag to look up.
+ * @return The semantics node id, or `null` if it cannot be resolved.
+ */
+internal fun View.semanticsNodeIdForTestTag(testTag: String): Int? = runCatching {
+    val owner = javaClass.getMethod("getSemanticsOwner").invoke(this) as? SemanticsOwner
+        ?: return@runCatching null
+    owner.unmergedRootSemanticsNode.findByTestTag(testTag)?.id
+}.getOrNull()
+
+private fun SemanticsNode.findByTestTag(testTag: String): SemanticsNode? =
+    if (config.getOrNull(SemanticsProperties.TestTag) == testTag) {
+        this
+    } else {
+        children.firstNotNullOfOrNull { it.findByTestTag(testTag) }
+    }

stream-chat-android-compose/src/test/kotlin/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/messages/ChannelScreenTest.kt

@@ -16,10 +16,13 @@
 
 package io.getstream.chat.android.compose.ui.messages
 
+import android.content.Context
+import android.view.accessibility.AccessibilityManager
 import androidx.annotation.UiThread
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.junit4.createComposeRule
 import androidx.compose.ui.test.onNodeWithText
+import androidx.core.content.getSystemService
 import androidx.test.core.app.ApplicationProvider
 import androidx.test.ext.junit.runners.AndroidJUnit4
 import io.getstream.chat.android.client.test.MockedChatClientTest
@@ -35,6 +38,7 @@ import org.junit.Test
 import org.junit.runner.RunWith
 import org.mockito.kotlin.doReturn
 import org.mockito.kotlin.whenever
+import org.robolectric.Shadows
 import org.robolectric.annotation.Config
 
 @RunWith(AndroidJUnit4::class)
@@ -62,8 +66,32 @@ internal class ChannelScreenTest : MockedChatClientTest {
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithText("Channel without name").assertExists()
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithText("0 Members").assertExists()
     }
+
+    @Test
+    @UiThread
+    fun `renders when a screen reader moves entry focus to the composer`() {
+        setTouchExplorationEnabled(true)
+
+        composeTestRule.setContent {
+            ChatTheme {
+                ChannelScreen()
+            }
+        }
+        // Advance past the entry-focus window so the re-apply loop settles.
+        composeTestRule.mainClock.advanceTimeBy(EntryFocusWindowElapsedMs)
+
+        composeTestRule.onNodeWithText("Channel without name").assertExists()
+    }
+
+    private fun setTouchExplorationEnabled(enabled: Boolean) {
+        val manager = ApplicationProvider.getApplicationContext<Context>()
+            .getSystemService<AccessibilityManager>()!!
+        Shadows.shadowOf(manager).setTouchExplorationEnabled(enabled)
+    }
 }
 
+private const val EntryFocusWindowElapsedMs = 2_100L
+
 @Composable
 private fun ChannelScreen() {
     ChannelScreen(

stream-chat-android-compose/src/test/kotlin/io/getstream/chat/android/compose/ui/messages/composer/MessageComposerScreenTest.kt

@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ internal class MessageComposerScreenTest : MockedChatClientTest {
 
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithText("9").assertExists()
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithText("Slow mode, wait 9s…").assertExists()
-        composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag("Stream_ComposerInputField").assertIsNotEnabled()
+        composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag(ComposerInputTestTag).assertIsNotEnabled()
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag("Stream_ComposerAttachmentsButton").assertIsNotEnabled()
     }
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ internal class MessageComposerScreenTest : MockedChatClientTest {
             }
         }
 
-        composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag("Stream_ComposerInputField").assertIsEnabled()
+        composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag(ComposerInputTestTag).assertIsEnabled()
         composeTestRule.onNodeWithTag("Stream_ComposerAttachmentsButton").assertIsEnabled()
     }