Uncontrolled multiline TextInput doesn't auto-grow

Description

Uncontrolled multiline TextInput doesn't grow in size when its content spans multiple lines while typing.

Minimum reproducible code:

<View
      style={{ height: 500, justifyContent: "center", padding: 20, width: 180 }}
    >
      <TextInput
        multiline
        placeholder="height increases"
        defaultValue="super long text that will cause the height to span multiple lines"
        enablesReturnKeyAutomatically={true}
        returnKeyType="go"
        style={{
          borderWidth: 1,
          fontSize: 13,
          padding: 4,

          // multilineExpandable
          height: "auto",
          maxHeight: 100,
        }}
      />
</View>

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e898cc86-822d-4041-878b-b5f8ae3e3653

If the defaultValue is long enough to take multiple lines, then it does auto-grow/shrink on subsequent edits

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/cf9ddb1b-450c-463c-9876-a0bf90274d27

Steps to reproduce

1. paste the reproduction code snippet to an empty screen
2. try typing into the input until the content starts wrapping

React Native Version

0.81.4

Affected Platforms

Runtime - iOS

Output of npx @react-native-community/cli info

System:
  OS: macOS 26.1
  CPU: (10) arm64 Apple M4
  Memory: 1.16 GB / 32.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 24.8.0
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v24.8.0/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 4.9.2
    path: ~/.n/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 11.6.0
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v24.8.0/bin/npm
  Watchman: Not Found
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 25.1
      - iOS 26.1
      - macOS 26.1
      - tvOS 26.1
      - visionOS 26.1
      - watchOS 26.1
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: Not Found
  Xcode:
    version: 26.1.1/17B100
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: javac 25
    path: ~/.sdkman/candidates/java/current/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /usr/bin/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli": Not Found
  react:
    installed: 19.1.0
    wanted: "*"
  react-native:
    installed: 0.81.4
    wanted: "*"
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: Not found
  newArchEnabled: Not found
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: Not found
  newArchEnabled: Not found

Stacktrace or Logs

-

MANDATORY Reproducer

https://snack.expo.dev/@vova.sqds/uncontrolled-multiline-textinput-doesnt-auto-grow

Screenshots and Videos

No response

Start by running the mandatory Expo Snack reproducer and confirm the uncontrolled multiline TextInput behavior on iOS. Then trace the React Native TextInput multiline implementation and its iOS path; done means the input grows and shrinks while typing with a long defaultValue, respects maxHeight, and has regression coverage.