Select Element iOS Bug - Always Include Disabled Placeholder Option
Impact: HIGH - When a <select> element's v-model initial value doesn't match any option, iOS renders it as "unselected" and users CANNOT select the first item. iOS doesn't fire a change event when selecting an already-visually-selected option, leaving users stuck.
This is a platform-specific bug that only manifests on iOS Safari. Desktop browsers and Android handle this gracefully, making it easy to miss during development. The fix is simple: always include a disabled placeholder option.
Task Checklist
- Always add a disabled placeholder option with empty value to select elements
- Ensure v-model initial value is empty string to match the placeholder
- Test select inputs on iOS devices or simulators
- Consider this for any user-facing forms, especially on mobile-first apps
Problem - iOS users cannot select first option:
<script setup>
import { ref } from 'vue'
// Initial value is empty string, doesn't match any option
const selected = ref('')
</script>
<template>
<!-- PROBLEM: On iOS, "Apple" appears selected but user cannot actually select it -->
<!-- Tapping "Apple" does nothing because iOS doesn't fire change event -->
<select v-model="selected">
<option value="apple">Apple</option>
<option value="banana">Banana</option>
<option value="orange">Orange</option>
</select>
<!-- selected remains '' even though "Apple" appears highlighted -->
</template>Solution - Add disabled placeholder option:
<script setup>
import { ref } from 'vue'
const selected = ref('') // Matches the placeholder option
</script>
<template>
<!-- CORRECT: Disabled placeholder ensures user must actively select -->
<select v-model="selected">
<option disabled value="">Please select a fruit</option>
<option value="apple">Apple</option>
<option value="banana">Banana</option>
<option value="orange">Orange</option>
</select>
</template><!-- Variant with required attribute for form validation -->
<select v-model="selected" required>
<option disabled value="">-- Select an option --</option>
<option value="a">Option A</option>
<option value="b">Option B</option>
</select><!-- If you MUST have a pre-selected default, set the initial value to match -->
<script setup>
import { ref } from 'vue'
// Set initial value to match an actual option
const country = ref('us') // Pre-selects "United States"
</script>
<template>
<select v-model="country">
<option value="us">United States</option>
<option value="uk">United Kingdom</option>
<option value="ca">Canada</option>
</select>
</template>