[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #64422: Unable to click checkboxes on WordPress 6.9 admin menu choices using any browser on an IPad running 16, 7.9

[WordPress Trac]

#64422: Unable to click checkboxes on WordPress 6.9 admin menu choices using any
browser on an IPad running 16,7.9
-------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
 Reporter:               |      Owner:  (none)
  stuartpearson          |
     Type:  defect       |     Status:  new
  (bug)                  |
 Priority:  normal       |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:               |    Version:  6.9
  Administration         |   Keywords:  needs-patch reporter-feedback iOS
 Severity:  major        |  WebKit
  Focuses:               |
-------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
 Summary: Admin checkboxes/radios do not toggle reliably on iPadOS 16.7.9
 (Safari/Chrome) after upgrading to WordPress 6.9

 Version: 6.9
 Component: Administration (possibly Editor / JavaScript)
 Severity: Major

 Environment:
 - WordPress: 6.9 (tested on clean install with plugins/themes disabled)
 - Device/OS: iPad running iPadOS 16.7.9
 - Browsers: Safari 16.x (built‑in), Chrome for iOS (latest) — both
 affected (all iOS browsers use WebKit)
 - Works on: newer iPad running iPadOS 26; desktop Chrome/Edge/Firefox

 Summary of issue:
 In wp‑admin across multiple screens (Posts → All Posts, Pages → All Pages,
 Plugins, Settings → Discussion), tapping a checkbox or radio appears to
 select but does not remain toggled (or occasionally toggles a previously
 tapped item). Bulk actions and many settings are unusable on iPadOS 16.x
 devices.

 Steps to reproduce:
 1) Log in to wp‑admin on an iPad with iPadOS 16.7.9 (Safari).
 2) Open Posts → All Posts (any list table with checkboxes).
 3) Tap a row checkbox.
 4) Observe the visual “pressed” state but the checkbox does not remain
 checked (or toggles a different item).
 5) Repeat on Plugins and Settings → Discussion.

 Expected:
 Each tap on a checkbox/radio toggles that control and persists its state,
 firing the corresponding change events.

 Actual:
 - Checkbox/radio often does not remain toggled after the tap.
 - In quick sequences, a previously tapped control toggles instead of the
 current one.
 - Occurs in Safari and Chrome on iPadOS 16.7.9; works on newer iPadOS and
 desktop browsers.

 Notes / context:
 - This resembles a long‑standing WebKit issue on iOS where touch handling
 misroutes click/change events for checkbox/radio inputs when parent
 elements register certain listeners (e.g., dblclick via event delegation),
 common in React/Gutenberg UIs.
   References:
   • WebKit bug 216681 — iOS: Change events fired on incorrect elements if
 a dblclick listener is on a parent (affects checkbox/radio sequences).
   • React issues documenting wrong checkbox toggles on iOS Safari/Chrome
 due to WebKit behavior (#31260, #31275).
 - WordPress 6.9 shipped admin/UI changes; separate Safari‑specific
 regressions have been noted, suggesting broader compatibility edges with
 specific WebKit versions.

 Why file against Core:
 Even if the root cause is in WebKit, Core could consider a compatibility
 shim to reduce impact on iPadOS 16.x users, e.g.:
 - Avoid/gate dblclick delegation in list tables on iOS 16.x.
 - Add a guarded touchend handler that explicitly toggles checkbox/radio
 state and dispatches change in affected contexts (limited to iOS 16.x via
 UA feature‑detect).

 What has been tried:
 - Clean install, default theme, all plugins deactivated → issue persists.
 - Clearing browser cache/data.
 - Toggling Safari’s “Request Desktop Website” and zooming → sometimes
 helps, not reliable.
 - Newer iPad (iPadOS 26) and desktop browsers → no issue.

 Impact:
 Admins on older iPads (iPadOS 16.x) cannot perform bulk actions in list
 tables or toggle many Settings, a practical accessibility/usability
 regression.

 Attachments:
 - Screen recording from iPadOS 16.7.9 showing checkboxes not staying
 toggled (to be uploaded).
 - UA string and device model for reproducibility.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/64422>
WordPress Trac <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/>
WordPress publishing platform