compose: Focus the message composer on entry for screen readers

When a screen reader is active, move the reading cursor to 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. This uses
ACTION_ACCESSIBILITY_FOCUS instead of FocusRequester (which would open
the keyboard), and re-applies focus while the message list loads so the
screen reader's own initial placement does not override it. Gated on
touch exploration, so sighted users are unaffected.

Compose exposes no public API to move accessibility focus, so the node
is resolved reflectively via AndroidComposeView.getSemanticsOwner; a
consumer ProGuard rule keeps that method for minified release builds,
and the lookup fails safe otherwise.

Share the composer input test tag as a single constant and reuse the
touch-exploration helper across the composer and the Giphy preview.

Author: andremion

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/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()
     }