[Due for payment 2026-04-07] [$250] Screen Reader: Global: Incorrect initial focus when opening the screen

[elisenwazuoke]

Action Performed:

Precondition: User is logged in

1. Using VoiceOver on iOS or TalkBack on Android, open the app
2. Swipe right to focus the Account tab and double-tap to activate it
3. Swipe right to focus the Profile button and double-tap to activate it
4. Swipe right to focus the Status menu item and double-tap to activate it
5. Note where focus lands when the Status screen loads

This is a global issue occurring in all screens with one text field
Examples:

1. On Security > Merge accounts: focus moved to "Phone or email" text field
2. On Security > Merge Accounts > Enter Code: focus moved to magic code field
3. Profile > Contact methods > Verify email: focus moved to magic code field
4. Profile > Pronouns: focus moved to Pronouns text field
5. Profile > Status > Vacation delegate: focus moved to "name, Email or phone number" text field
6. Profile > Timezone > Timezone: focus moved to "timezone" text field
7. Profile > Phone number: focus moved to "Phone number" text field
8. Profile > Address > Country: focus moved to "Country" text field
9. Profile > Address > State: focus moved to "State" text field
10. Preferences > Payment currency: focus moves to Search text field
11. New Workspace > Confirm workspace: focus moves to "Workspace name" text field
12. New Workspace > Confirm workspace > Default currency: focus moves to Search text field

Expected Result:

When the screen opens, focus should land on the first meaningful interactive element at the top of the screen, for example: the Back button or the screen heading.
Users must be able to review all content starting from the top and proceed linearly.

Actual Result:

Upon opening the screen, focus jumps directly to the text field.
All elements located at the top of the screen (headers, introductory text, buttons, tabs, or filters - depending on the page) are skipped entirely.
Screen reader users miss critical context and navigation options.

Area issue was found in:

Profile > Status

Failed WCAG checkpoints

WCAG 2.4.3 Focus Order
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-order

User impact:

People with mobility impairments who must rely on keyboard access for operating a page benefit from a logical, usable focus order. People with vision impairments or disabilities that make reading difficult can become disoriented when tabbing takes focus someplace unexpected or when they cannot easily find the content surrounding an interactive element. Only a small portion of the page may be visible to an individual using a screen magnifier at a high level of magnification. Such a user may interpret a field in the wrong context if the focus order is not logical.

Suggested resolution:

Ensure that upon opening a new layout, the screen reader focus is moved to the first element.
https://appt.org/en/docs/react-native/samples/accessibility-focus

Environment(s)

Apple iPhone 14 Pro - iOS 18.7.1, Wi-Fi - Native (No mobile browser)
Samsung Galaxy Note10 Plus - Android 12, H0T Mobile - Native (No mobile browser)

Screenshots/Videos

Bug7006135_1763523142173.Incorrect_initial_focus_when_opening_the_screen.mp4

Version Number: Production
Reproducible in staging?: NA
Reproducible in production?: Yes
Email or phone of affected tester (no customers): NA
Logs: https://stackoverflow.com/c/expensify/questions/4856 NA
Notes/Photos/Videos: Any additional supporting documentation Yes
Expensify/Expensify Issue URL: https://platform.applause.com/company/12102/products/36628/community-issues/7006135
Issue reported by: NA
Slack conversation: NA

Upwork Automation - Do Not Edit

• Upwork Job URL: https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~022016981022159527852
• Upwork Job ID: 2016981022159527852
• Last Price Increase: 2026-01-29

Issue Owner

Current Issue Owner: @mallenexpensify

[melvin-bot]

This issue has not been updated in over 15 days. eroding to Monthly issue.

P.S. Is everyone reading this sure this is really a near-term priority? Be brave: if you disagree, go ahead and close it out. If someone disagrees, they'll reopen it, and if they don't: one less thing to do!

[melvin-bot]

Job added to Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~022016981022159527852

[melvin-bot]

Current assignee @mallenexpensify is eligible for the Bug assigner, not assigning anyone new.