Esc key doesn't remove focus from the address bar

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1

Description of the issue:
How to remove the focus from Brave’s address bar?

I use an external keyboard (Apple Magic Keyboard). So, every time I want to stop the focus on the address bar instead of hitting the Esc key I have to click on the trackpad of my MacBook.

Same behavior with my MacBook built-in keyboard.

Steps to Reproduce (add as many as necessary): 1. 2. 3.
When a new tab is opened, the focus is on the address bar.
Hitting the Esc key does not help in removing the focus from the address bar.

In an already opened tab, after hitting CMD+L or when the focus is on the address bar, hitting the Esc key does not help in removing the focus from the address bar.

Actual Result (gifs and screenshots are welcome!):
The focus remains on the address bar.

Expected result:
Focus removed from the address bar.

Reproduces how often:
Every time I tried to remove the focus from the address bar by hitting the Esc key.

Operating System and Brave Version(See the About Brave page in the main menu):
Mac OS X 10.12.6
Brave Browser v75.0.66.99 (66.99)

Additional Information:
I love Brave and use it as my main browser. Not being able to use the Esc key to remove the focus from the address bar is making me think about going back to google chrome as I find it so annoying.

2

@politicus,
Thanks for reaching out. I actually agree with you – as do many others:

:point_up: It seems to be a long requested issue in Chrome/Chromium. When testing other browsers, I found that many (Chromium based or not) have Esc set to remove focus from the address bar by default.

We have an open issue to address this on our Github:

I’ve added this report as a +1 to the thread as well as one of my own.

3

For Keyboard Maestro user, there is a solution. Introducing Brave address bar focus remover

4

@politicus,
After my previous response, I’m actually less convinced about adding this feature given that hitting Tab also performs this same function (roughly). The only differences I can spot is that, when hitting Tab, you end up selecting the next (or first) clickable element in the browsing area. Hitting Esc (in browsers where this is featured) jumps to the browsing area without selecting anything.

However, for all intents and purposes, both of these keys do the same thing – after hitting Tab, I’m able to scroll (using mouse or keyboard arrows), interact with the site, use other keyboard shortcuts, etc.

Do you have a particular use-case for the Esc button vs Tab or is it more of a personal preference?

5

@Mattches

I will say every time I realize the Esc key doesn’t do what I expect it to do, or I should say what I am soooooo used to, I call names in my head.

tab and esc keys do “roughly” as you say the same thing. For me, it is night and day.

I do not have any special case in mind right now (will share them with you as they appear again).

When I can’t escape the search bar, I have to use my trackpad next to my magic keyboard or my macbook trackpad in front of me.

I am not saying I am wasting a lot of time every time I have to use them BUT it is not smooth or as smooth as it could be.

6

@politicus,

Can you tell me where they differ?

For me, if I hit tab while in the address bar, I’m able to move the focus to the page area and scroll using the mouse[wheel] or using the arrow keys.

What exactly would I be able to do should the esc key work as you would have it?

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