Solving Dependency & Plugin Compatibility Issues in Flutter

Flutter developers often face a frustrating challenge: dependency conflicts and plugin compatibility issues. This happens when:

• A plugin is not updated to support the latest Flutter version.

• Two dependencies require conflicting versions of a shared package.

• Breaking changes in Flutter updates affect third-party packages.

I struggled with this while working on a Flutter app that relied on Firebase authentication and Google Maps. An update to Flutter broke the Google Maps plugin, and my app refused to build. After hours of debugging, I found some practical solutions that I’ll share in this article.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know:

• Why dependency issues happen in Flutter.

• How to prevent version conflicts.

• Steps to fix breaking plugin changes.

• Best practices for dependency management.

Let’s dive in!

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1. Why Do Plugin Compatibility Issues Happen?

Flutter Updates Introduce Breaking Changes

Flutter regularly releases updates that improve performance and introduce new features. However, these updates sometimes deprecate older APIs, causing plugins that haven’t been updated to break.

For example, when Flutter transitioned to null safety, many plugins that hadn’t been updated to support null safety caused projects to fail during compilation.

Plugins Have Different Maintenance Cycles

Not all plugin developers keep their packages updated. Some plugins are maintained by individual developers or small teams who may not prioritize updates. If a widely used plugin doesn’t support the latest Flutter version, it can create build errors, forcing developers to look for alternatives or workarounds.

Conflicting Dependencies

Some dependencies share a common package (e.g., http, shared_preferences), and when different versions are required, Flutter fails to resolve dependencies. This often results in errors like:

Because xyz depends on shared_preferences ^2.0.0 and abc depends on shared_preferences ^1.5.0, version solving failed.

This happens because both packages require different versions of shared_preferences, leading to a dependency conflict.

The real Problem I Faced

After upgrading my Flutter project to the latest stable version, my app suddenly failed to build. The error pointed to firebase_auth, which required an older version of firebase_core. However, another plugin required a newer version, causing a version conflict.

I spent hours troubleshooting before realizing that a newer version of firebase_auth had just been released, but my project was still referencing an outdated version. Updating it manually resolved the issue.

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2. How to Prevent Version Conflicts in Flutter

Use the Latest Stable Flutter Version

Avoid using beta versions unless necessary. Run:

flutter upgrade

This ensures you're on the latest stable release with better support.

Check Plugin Compatibility Before Updating

Before upgrading Flutter, check if your plugins support the new version. Visit pub.dev and read the plugin changelogs.

Use Dependency Constraints in pubspec.yaml

Instead of using any, set version constraints:

dependencies:
  flutter:
    sdk: flutter
  firebase_auth: "^4.10.0"
  google_maps_flutter: "^2.5.0"

This prevents automatic upgrades to incompatible versions.

Lock Dependencies Using pubspec.lock

If your app is working fine, prevent automatic updates by running:

flutter pub get --offline

This ensures you use the same dependency versions across builds.

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3. Fixing Breaking Plugin Changes

Solution 1: Check Plugin Changelog and Migrate

If a plugin breaks after an update, check its changelog on pub.dev. Developers usually provide migration guides for breaking changes.

For example, provider introduced a new API in version 5.0. If you were using an older version, the ChangeNotifierProvider syntax changed, requiring an update.

Solution 2: Use an Alternative Plugin

If a plugin is no longer maintained, look for a more actively developed alternative.

• Example: Instead of flutter_webview_plugin, use webview_flutter.

Solution 3: Fork and Maintain the Plugin Yourself

If no alternatives exist, fork the plugin from GitHub and apply fixes:

git clone https://github.com/example/plugin_name.git

Then, modify the code and use it locally:

dependencies:
  plugin_name:
    path: ../path-to-your-forked-plugin

Solution 4: Report Issues on GitHub

If the issue affects many users, report it on the plugin's GitHub repository. Developers often release fixes based on community feedback.

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4. Best Practices for Managing Dependencies

Regularly Update Dependencies (But Cautiously)

Update plugins only when necessary:

flutter pub upgrade

If issues arise, use:

flutter pub downgrade

Use dependency_overrides as a Temporary Fix

If a package requires an older version, temporarily override it in pubspec.yaml:

dependency_overrides:
  firebase_core: "^2.10.0"

This allows other dependencies to function while waiting for a plugin update.

Test After Every Update

Always test your app after updating dependencies:

flutter clean && flutter pub get
flutter run

This ensures that no unexpected issues occur.

Use Version Resolutions for Deep Conflicts

For extreme cases where multiple dependencies require different versions of a package, use resolution_strategy in pubspec.yaml:

dependency_overrides:
  shared_preferences: "^2.0.0"

This forces all dependencies to use the specified version.

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5. Final Thoughts: My Experience & Key Takeaways

When I first started working with Flutter, I didn’t pay attention to dependency management. Every time I upgraded my project, I faced build failures due to plugin incompatibilities.

After learning the right way to handle dependencies, I now:

• Check plugin updates before upgrading Flutter.

• Use dependency constraints to prevent conflicts.

• Fork outdated plugins if necessary.

• Test my app immediately after any dependency update.

By following these best practices, I’ve avoided major downtime and kept my projects running smoothly.

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What About You?

Have you faced dependency issues in Flutter? What solutions worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below!