Usability: can't close image viewer

[ForestJohnson]

• I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

---

Bug description

Usability: After user opens a picture message, there is a back button. However, if the user zooms in on the image or accidentally brushes the screen in the wrong way, the back button disappears, there's no indication of how to get it back, and users best guess of how to get it back does not work

Steps to reproduce

• open an image
• zoom or tap image once
• the back button is now gona and there's no indication of how to get it back
• tapping the area where it used to be has no effect
• the user assumed it was broken and actually closed the app and reopened at this point, because that's something they know how to do

Actual result:
User expected to be able to get back button to come back by tapping black region outside the image

Desired result
Back button shows up when screen is tapped, including region outside the image

OR

Back button never disappears

Screenshots

N/A

Device info

N/A

Link to debug log

N/A

[DGrothe-PhD]

Can confirm this.
Noticed, by the way, a feature:
At least, when zoomed out, swiping left/right lets you view all of your images you shared with that contact, one by one, ordered by date sent.

Workaround to close the image and return to the chat:

1. Zoom out until the image fits the screen again
2. Swipe upwardly from some place inside of the screen.

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[ForestJohnson]

hi bot

[ForestJohnson]

> Back button shows up when screen is tapped, including region outside the image

This is now how it works in signal on android. Thanks for fixing this. Closing

[ForestJohnson]

OOPS just realized this is the iOS signal repo not the android one

The bug is still present on iOS, confirmed in the last 60 seconds on my friends phone

[MarlowBrown]

Once zoomed out, you are still able to drag the photo down to dismiss it, but I think having that button back is nicer! :)

Simulator.Screen.Recording.-.iPhone.16.-.2025-01-22.at.15.08.06.mp4

Here is the PR for the bug fix!

Bug Fix Link here

[DGrothe-PhD]

Once zoomed out, you are still able to drag the photo down to dismiss it, but I think having that button back is nicer! :)

Simulator.Screen.Recording.-.iPhone.16.-.2025-01-22.at.15.08.06.mp4

Here is the PR for the bug fix!

Bug Fix Link here

I agree. And it leaves the less experienced user puzzled as they don't know how to close an image right away.

[sashaweiss-signal]

Closing as the related PR is now resolved: #5944.