List items can not be selected by typing

[HalloTschuess]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues and found none matching what I'm reporting.

Bug Description

While trying to install the Ubuntu 26.04 Beta, I noticed that it is no longer possible to select a different keyboard layout by typing its name. This issue also extends to the locale selection and probably other lists as well.

It it is pretty annoying for users that know the feature existed in the past. Additionally these two lists appear before the user has a chance to update the installer.

Steps to reproduce the behavior

1. Run ubuntu_bootstrap
2. On the locale or keyboard selection screen, try to select a different item by simply typing its name

Expected behavior

When typing the name of an item, it is selected automatically.

Ubuntu release

Other (specify in the last field)

What architecture are you using?

amd64

System info

No response

Additional context

Ubuntu version: 26.04 Beta

The issue was introduced with the update of ubuntu_widgets in b3ed18e. The new version included a fix to the ListWidget for #1307.

#1264 is somewhat related but probably out of scope before the release of 26.04.

[juanruitina]

It makes sense to bring this back for pages where choosing from the list is the primary action, such as locale and keyboard selection, as it will speed up the installation process. But probably not for the network page because user should first decide whether or not to connect to the internet; available wireless networks are sorted by proximity anyway, so finding the right option shouldn't be as cumbersome.

Any solution should not compromise on accessibility (autofocus on the list would be problematic with screen reading).

[paul-geoghegan]

I have created an issue against the Flutter Plugins repo but will also update this issue with any progress: canonical/ubuntu-flutter-plugins#515
Thanks for reporting!