Troubleshooting & Handling Flutter App Errors

Handling Flutter App Errors

Developing a mobile application with Flutter is a great way to create a high-performance cross-platform app. We've seen how quickly and easily it can be used to create beautiful apps, but what about when something goes wrong? How do we handle errors? Developing with Flutter presents some unique challenges when it comes to debugging and handling errors, so let's take a look at the best ways to handle Flutter app errors.

Be Aware of Error Signals

The first step in handling errors is to be aware of the signals that indicate something might be wrong. By default, Flutter will output an error message whenever an exception occurs. This might be a stack trace, or some other information about the error. It's important to look for these errors as early as possible, so you can address the issue before it becomes a bigger problem. There are several tools available for monitoring the state of your app, such as the DevTools inspector and the Android Studio debugger, which should be used regularly to check for errors.

Use Debug Mode

Flutter has a built-in debugging mode, which allows developers to pause the app and inspect the values and properties of the app. This is useful for finding bugs and understanding why an error occurred. The debug mode can be enabled via the command line, while running the app, or in the app's code.

Check Logs

Flutter also logs every error that occurs in an app, along with detailed debug messages. These logs are helpful for identifying the cause of errors, and they're also useful for keeping track of performance issues. It's important to routinely check the logs to ensure that all errors are being caught and addressed.

Test Thoroughly

Thorough testing is essential for catching errors before an app goes live. Automated tests should be written to ensure that the app works correctly in different scenarios. Additionally, manual testing should be done to test the app on different devices, operating systems, and versions of Flutter. This will help to ensure that any potential errors are spotted early on, and can be fixed before they become a bigger problem.

Make Use of Crash Reporting Tools

Finally, it's important to make use of crash reporting tools in order to easily spot and address errors that occur in production apps. These tools allow developers to quickly identify and fix problems, so users don't experience any issues. Crashlytics and Firebase Crashlytics are two of the most popular crash reporting tools available.

Handling errors in a Flutter application can be a challenge, but by following these tips, you'll be able to quickly identify and address any issues that arise. Once you know how to properly debug and handle errors, you'll be able to create apps that are both beautiful and reliable.