iOS handler doesn't intercept keyboard events on the simulator, but it works on a real iPad

[JTOne123]

Description

Hello,

I try to implement an iOS keyboard handler to intercept keyboard events.

The full implementation is here https://github.com/JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/blob/main/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/Platforms/iOS/Handlers/KeyboardManagerHandler.cs

I was able to make it work on real devices; I can intercept key events on my iPad with a keyboard wherever I use it (with compatibility renderer and handler, they both work). But I faced an issue with the simulator.

Whatever the simulator IO/Keyboard settings I changed, there was no difference.

Then I created a Xamarin.Form a project with the same renderer, and I can run it on my simulator alongside the MAUI project. Xamarin project works perfectly on a simulator, I can press a key, and it intercepts the event. It proves that my simulator works well.

Then I decided to delete AppShell.xaml from my MAUI project.

JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD@1a72ddb

As a result, the compatibility renderer started to work in the simulator, but no UI is shown; something is broken; I don't know what... Do you know what?

But still, the handler doesn't work (UI works)

In this image, you can see only the change I made to change between the renderer and handler.
https://github.com/JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/blob/main/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/MauiProgram.cs

I was wondering, do you have any ideas about this situation?

I appreciate any help.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Clone my repo
2. Open solution https://github.com/JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/blob/main/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD.csproj
3. Launch it on a real device - it should work
4. Launch it on the simulator - it doesn't work
5. Switch between the compatibility renderer and the handler for another test round.
6. Launch it again

Link to public reproduction project repository

https://github.com/JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD

Version with bug

7.0.86

Last version that worked well

Unknown/Other

Affected platforms

iOS

Affected platform versions

ios simulator only

Did you find any workaround?

Do not use a simulator, which is bad for the dev perspective.

Relevant log output

No response

[ghost]

We've added this issue to our backlog, and we will work to address it as time and resources allow. If you have any additional information or questions about this issue, please leave a comment. For additional info about issue management, please read our Triage Process.

[jaosnz-rep]

Verified this issue with Visual Studio Enterprise 17.9.0 Preview 5. Can repro on iOS platform with sample project.
https://github.com/JTOne123/MAUI-IOS-KEYBOARD