Return key label is contextually appropriate

The generic return key on a password field gives no signal that pressing it will submit the form — users tap the submit button anyway, making the return key dead weight. On a search field, the wrong label leaves users guessing whether return submits or inserts a newline. Contextual return keys (done, go, search, send) are a zero-cost signal that matches the platform convention and reduces form completion time.

Set returnKeyType per field and wire onSubmitEditing so pressing the key actually advances or submits. Use refs to chain focus between fields in multi-input forms:

<TextInput placeholder="First" returnKeyType="next" onSubmitEditing={() => lastRef.current?.focus()} />
<TextInput ref={lastRef} placeholder="Last" returnKeyType="done" onSubmitEditing={submit} />
<TextInput placeholder="Search" returnKeyType="search" onSubmitEditing={search} />

• ID: mobile-ux-patterns.keyboard-input.return-key-label

• Severity: low

• What to look for: Enumerate all TextInput fields. For each, classify its purpose (form submission, search, multi-field navigation) and check the returnKeyType prop. Verify the return key matches: done or go for final fields, next for multi-field forms, search for search inputs.

• Pass criteria: All TextInput fields have a returnKeyType that matches their purpose. At least 100% of final form fields use done or go, intermediate fields use next, search fields use search. No inputs use the default return key when a more specific option applies.

• Fail criteria: Any TextInput uses the generic return key type when a contextual option (done, go, send, search, next) would be more appropriate, or the return key is mismatched with the input purpose.

• Skip (N/A) when: App has no text input fields.

• Detail on fail: Quote the actual returnKeyType. "Login form password field uses default return key instead of 'done' or 'go' — unclear that it submits the form." or "Search input uses 'return' instead of 'search' return key."

• Remediation: Set contextually appropriate returnKeyType:

  // Form submission
  <TextInput
    placeholder="Password"
    returnKeyType="done"
    onSubmitEditing={handleSubmit}
  />
  
  // Search
  <TextInput
    placeholder="Search"
    returnKeyType="search"
    onSubmitEditing={handleSearch}
  />
  
  // Multi-field form
  <TextInput placeholder="First Name" returnKeyType="next" onSubmitEditing={() => lastNameRef.focus()} />
  <TextInput ref={lastNameRef} placeholder="Last Name" returnKeyType="done" onSubmitEditing={handleSubmit} />