How to Get App Version in Flutter?

App versioning refers to the practice of assigning unique version numbers to different releases of an application. These numbers usually follow the semantic versioning format, such as 1.0.0, which represents major, minor, and patch updates.

Table of Contents

Key Reasons App Versioning Matters:

Update Management: Ensures users receive the latest features and bug fixes.
Debugging: Helps developers identify issues specific to a particular version.
Compliance: Many app stores require clear versioning for approvals.
User Trust: Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and improving the app.

In Flutter, retrieving the app version can be achieved through packages, configuration files, or custom methods. Let’s explore these approaches.

Also Read :- How to Downgrade Flutter Version

How to Get App Version in Flutter?

Flutter provides efficient tools and packages to access app version details. The most common method involves using the package_info_plus package.

Steps to Retrieve App Version Using `package_info_plus`:

Add Dependency
Open your pubspec.yaml file and add the following dependency:
```
dependencies:
  package_info_plus: ^latest_version
```
Run the command below to fetch the package:
```
flutter pub get
```
Import the Package
Add the package import to the relevant Dart file:
```
import 'package:package_info_plus/package_info_plus.dart';
```

Fetch App Version

Use the following code to get the app’s version:

Future<void> getAppVersion() async {
  PackageInfo packageInfo = await PackageInfo.fromPlatform();

  String appName = packageInfo.appName;
  String packageName = packageInfo.packageName;
  String version = packageInfo.version;
  String buildNumber = packageInfo.buildNumber;

  print('App Name: $appName');
  print('Package Name: $packageName');
  print('Version: $version');
  print('Build Number: $buildNumber');
}

Display in UI

You can display the version details in your app’s settings or about page using Flutter widgets:

@override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
  return FutureBuilder(
    future: PackageInfo.fromPlatform(),
    builder: (context, snapshot) {
      if (snapshot.connectionState == ConnectionState.done && snapshot.hasData) {
        final packageInfo = snapshot.data as PackageInfo;
        return Text(
          'Version: ${packageInfo.version} (Build ${packageInfo.buildNumber})',
          style: TextStyle(fontSize: 16),
        );
      }
      return CircularProgressIndicator();
    },
  );
}

Also Read :- How to Download Flutter on Windows

Alternative Methods to Retrieve App Version in Flutter

1. Reading Version Directly from pubspec.yaml

While package_info_plus is convenient, you can also manually fetch version data from your pubspec.yaml file. However, this requires custom scripting or hardcoding the values, which isn’t ideal for dynamic projects.

2. Using Platform Channels

For custom or platform-specific implementations, you can create platform channels to access native code. This approach is rarely necessary but can be useful for advanced scenarios.

Also Read :- How to Create a Flutter Project in VS Code

Best Practices for Managing App Versions in Flutter

1. Follow Semantic Versioning

Use the format major.minor.patch (e.g., 2.3.1):

Major: Backward-incompatible changes.
Minor: New features without breaking existing functionality.
Patch: Bug fixes and minor updates.

2. Automate Versioning

Use CI/CD pipelines and scripts to automatically increment version numbers during deployments.

3. Display Version Information in the App

Include the app version in the settings or about section for transparency and debugging purposes.

4. Test Across Platforms

Ensure versioning works consistently across Android, iOS, and web platforms in Flutter.

Also Read :- How to Build Flutter Web Applications

Common Errors and Troubleshooting Tips

1. PackageInfo.fromPlatform() Throws Exception

Solution: Verify the package_info_plus setup in pubspec.yaml and re-run flutter pub get.

2. App Version Not Updating on Build

Solution: Clear the Flutter build cache with the command:
```
flutter clean
```

3. Inconsistent Build Numbers

Solution: Manually update the build.gradle file (for Android) or Info.plist (for iOS) with the correct version numbers.

Comparison of Methods to Get App Version in Flutter

Method	Ease of Use	Dynamic Updates	Cross-Platform
`package_info_plus`	Easy	Yes	Yes
Reading from pubspec.yaml	Moderate	No	Yes
Platform Channels	Complex	Yes	Limited

Final Thoughts

Retrieving app version in Flutter is a straightforward task with tools like package_info_plus. Following best practices ensures that your app maintains a professional and reliable versioning system, improving both developer workflows and user experience.

Also Read :- How to Build APK in Flutter Command

FAQs About Retrieving App Version in Flutter

1. What is the purpose of app versioning in Flutter?
App versioning helps track updates, manage debugging processes, and meet app store requirements.

2. Which package is recommended for getting the app version in Flutter?
The package_info_plus package is the most widely used and recommended for this purpose.

3. How do I add the package_info_plus dependency to my Flutter project?
Add package_info_plus to the dependencies section in pubspec.yaml and run flutter pub get.

4. Can I fetch the app version without using any package?
Yes, you can manually retrieve version details from the pubspec.yaml file or use platform-specific code.

5. Is package_info_plus compatible with all platforms?
Yes, it supports Android, iOS, web, macOS, and Windows platforms.

6. How do I display app version information in my Flutter app?
You can use widgets like Text or FutureBuilder to display version details in the UI.

7. How do I update the app version in Flutter?
Update the version and build number in the pubspec.yaml file.

8. What does the build number represent?
The build number represents incremental updates or builds of the same version.

9. How do I clear the Flutter build cache?
Run the command flutter clean in your project directory.

10. Can I automate version updates during app deployment?
Yes, use CI/CD pipelines to automate version increments.

11. Is it necessary to follow semantic versioning?
While not mandatory, semantic versioning is a best practice for clarity and consistency.

12. How do I handle versioning for web apps in Flutter?
Use the same package_info_plus package to manage versioning for web apps.

13. How do I retrieve app version information programmatically?
Use the PackageInfo.fromPlatform() method from the package_info_plus package.

14. What should I do if package_info_plus doesn’t work?
Ensure proper installation, clear the cache with flutter clean, and verify the version in pubspec.yaml.

15. How do I include version information in a Flutter release build?
Version details are automatically embedded in the release build based on the pubspec.yaml configuration.

16. Can I use platform channels for retrieving app versions?
Yes, but it’s more complex and typically unnecessary for standard use cases.

17. Does app versioning affect app store approvals?
Yes, app stores require clear and consistent versioning for approval processes.

18. How do I test app version functionality across platforms?
Build and run the app on all target platforms and verify the version details programmatically.

19. Can I retrieve the app version at runtime?
Yes, use the PackageInfo class to fetch version details dynamically during runtime.

20. How do I troubleshoot version conflicts in Flutter?
Check for outdated dependencies, clear the build cache, and ensure version consistency in configuration files.

Author
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Nishant Sharma

Flutter Developer at Indeses Business Ventures Pvt. Ltd

Experienced Software Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Mobile Application Development, Firebase, Postman API, Android Studio, and MySQL.

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