[A11y][iOS] - VoiceOver reads first letter separately from other text in multiline textInput on legacy architecture

[srrmstk]

Description

When using TextInput component with multiline={true}, voiceover announces first symbol separately from the remaining text

Managed to reproduce on RN versions 0.73.5, 0.73.8, 0.74.2

Actual result: First symbol is read separately Expected result: Whole text is read together

Note: The issue is not reproduced with RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED = 1

Steps to reproduce

1. Turn on VoiceOver
2. Enter text
3. Tap on the input to announce

React Native Version

0.73.8

Affected Platforms

Runtime - iOS

Output of npx react-native info

System:
  OS: macOS 14.2.1
  CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M1
  Memory: 88.33 MB / 16.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 20.11.1
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 3.6.4
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.2.4
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.11.1/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2024.01.22.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.14.3
    path: /Users/dev/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 23.2
      - iOS 17.2
      - macOS 14.2
      - tvOS 17.2
      - visionOS 1.0
      - watchOS 10.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2023.2 AI-232.10227.8.2321.11479570
  Xcode:
    version: 15.2/15C500b
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.10
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 3.3.0
    path: /Users/dev/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli": Not Found
  react: Not Found
  react-native: Not Found
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false

Stacktrace or Logs

N/A

Reproducer

https://github.com/srrmstk/react-native-multiline-a11y-reproducer

Screenshots and Videos

https://github.com/facebook/react-native/assets/61790890/5c1fa74c-1539-4d71-a56a-1af8f42fd917

[srrmstk]

Any updates on this issue? @cortinico

[cortinico]

Note: The issue is not reproduced with RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED = 1

Nope no updates. Also issues with New Architecture disabled are less likely to be address as now we're hyperfocused on shipping the New Architecture. So if this issue is fixed in NewArch, it's unlikely we'll fix it at this stage.