How to Check Flutter Version

Published on February 5th, 2025

When developing a mobile app using Flutter, it is important to keep track of its version. It helps you maintain compatibility between your project and the framework. Flutter is used by 46% of global cross-platform developers. To retain such a large user base, Flutter frequently releases version updates that offer new features for performance improvement and bug fixes. Hire Flutter Developers for your Flutter Project to ensure your project remains up to date.

Hence, knowing how to check Flutter version is important. Because if you are unaware of your Flutter version, you might face problems, such as unexpected app behavior or deprecated functions. In addition, many third-party packages rely on specific versions of Flutter, meaning mismatched versions could break your project. Checking the Flutter version ensures that you are aligned with the most up-to-date tools and libraries. This reduces conflicts and keeps your app stable. 

By staying informed about the Flutter version, developers can address issues quicker, take advantage of new tools, and ensure their code remains compatible across devices. Whether working on a new project, or updating an existing one, you should check your Flutter version regularly for smooth development. Explore Flutter app development trends to stay ahead in the field.

The blog discusses different methods for how to check Flutter version, and some of its other aspects.

Why Checking Your Flutter Version Matters

Maintaining a smooth development workflow in Flutter requires keeping your environment up-to-date. Knowing your Flutter version helps ensure compatibility with:

• Third-party packages and plugins
• Dart SDK and development tools
• Platform-specific APIs (Android/iOS)
• Project stability and performance

Outdated versions can introduce hidden bugs, security vulnerabilities, and inconsistencies, affecting project stability and potentially leading to wasted development time. Regularly checking your Flutter version makes the development process more efficient and secure.

How to Check Flutter Version: Most Effective Methods

There are three primary ways to check your Flutter version:

• Using the Command Line (Simplest and most direct approach)
• Employing flutter doctor (Provides a comprehensive health report)
• Inspecting the pubspec.lock File (For project-specific version)

Let’s dive into each method, detailing the steps involved and the information you can expect to find.

1. How To Check Flutter Version Using Command Line?

The Command Line Interface (CLI) is the quickest and most straightforward method to check your Flutter version.

Steps to Check Flutter Version Using CLI:

1. Access Your Terminal:

• Windows: Open the Command Prompt application.
• macOS/Linux: Launch the Terminal application.

2. Execute the Command:

Type the following command and press Enter:

3. Interpreting the Output:

The command will display the installed Flutter version along with additional details, such as:

Example Output:

What This Information Tells You:

• Flutter Version: 3.0.4
• Channel: stable (recommended for production apps)
• Framework Revision: Specific codebase version
• Engine Revision: Version of the underlying engine
• Dart Tools Version: 2.18.4 (used alongside Flutter)

This method is perfect when you need a quick overview of your Flutter version and environment.

2. Delving Deeper with flutter doctor

While flutter –version provides basic version information, the flutter doctor command offers a more comprehensive report. This command analyzes the overall health of your Flutter environment, ensuring all necessary tools are installed and configured correctly.

Steps to Use flutter doctor:

1. Run the Command:

2. Understanding the Report:

The output will include:

• Flutter SDK Version: Confirms your installed Flutter version.
• Dart SDK Version: Verifies the Dart version used.
• Dev Tools: Checks essential development tools, including the Flutter engine.
• Android/iOS Dependencies: Ensures Android Studio, Xcode, and other tools are set up correctly.

Example Output:

Using the -v Flag for Detailed Reports:

For a more detailed breakdown, add the -v flag:

This verbose mode provides deeper insights, helpful for troubleshooting environment setup issues

3. Checking Project Version (Using pubspec.lock File)

If you’re working on an existing project or a cloned repository, you might want to identify the specific Flutter version used during development. This helps ensure compatibility with existing code and dependencies.

Steps to Check Flutter Version via pubspec.lock:

• Locate the pubspec.lock file:
  This file resides in the root directory of your Flutter project.
  

• Open the file:
  Use a text editor (VS Code, Sublime, Notepad++, etc.) to open it.
  

• Search for Flutter Version:
  Look for entries under packages: mentioning flutter. Example:
  

Why This Method Is Useful:

• Determines the exact version used when the project was last built.
• Ensures package compatibility if you need to replicate the environment.

Helpful for team collaboration when multiple developers work on the same project.

4. How To Check Flutter Version In IDEs? (Android Studio Vs. Code)

Another way to check Flutter version is using popular IDEs, such as Android Studio or Visual Code. The process is simple and quick. 

A. How to check Flutter version in Android Studio?

• Open Android Studio.
• Go to Tools > Flutter > Flutter Doctor.  
• A terminal will open showing the Flutter version along with other Flutter setup details.

The “doctor” command analyzes your Flutter environment’s health and provides a detailed report. It ensures that everything is properly set up for development. Check how to use Flutter for mobile app development for additional tips.

B. How to check Flutter version in Visual Studio Code? 

• Open any project in VS Code. 
• Press Ctrl+ to open the terminal.
• Type “flutter — version to display the version. 

The report of these commands will provide information on various aspects of your environment, including:

• Flutter SDK version 
• Dart SDK version 
• Dev tools 
• Android and iOS dependencies. 

5. How To Check Dart Version in Flutter?

Before we learn the process, understanding the role of Dart in Flutter is important. Dart is a programming language that Flutter uses to write apps. It’s responsible for the logic, structure, and interaction of your application. 

Without Dart, Flutter cannot function! 

To check Dart version in Flutter, there are two methods:

A. How To Check Dart Version in Flutter Using dart –version Command?

• Open your terminal
• Type dart – – version and press Enter. 
• The current Dart version will be displayed. 

B. How To Check Dart Version in Flutter Using flutter –version Command?

• In the terminal, run the command, flutter – – version. 
• The output includes both the Flutter and Dart versions. 

Using these commands, you can get the exact version of Dart installed on your system. It will also reveal the platform it is running on (e.g. Windows, MacOS, and Linux). This way, you can ensure you are using the correct and updated version of Dart for your Flutter projects. Read more about Dart and Flutter packages.

Why keep Dart updated? 

Updating Dart ensures compatibility with the latest Flutter features, bug fixes, and security updates. It helps maintain optimal performance and prevents issues with outdated libraries or code. Guide to Flutter performance optimization offers more ways to boost app efficiency.

Choosing the Right Method

• For quick checks: Use flutter –version.
• For troubleshooting: Use flutter doctor -v.
• For project-specific details: Review pubspec.lock.

Common Issues When Checking Flutter Version

1. Command Not Found Error:

• Ensure Flutter SDK is installed correctly.
• Verify environment variables are set up (PATH includes Flutter).
  

2. Outdated Version:

Run flutter upgrade to update to the latest version.

3. Permission Issues (Linux/macOS):

Use sudo if necessary: sudo flutter –version

4. Inconsistent Version Across Projects:

Consider using Flutter Version Management (FVM) to manage multiple versions.

5. Corrupted Flutter Installation:

• If Flutter commands are unresponsive or produce errors, your installation might be corrupted.

Solution: Remove the existing Flutter SDK directory, re-download the latest version from the Flutter website, and reinstall it. Don’t forget to update your PATH environment variable after reinstallation.

Version Management In pubspec.yaml

This is an important file that manages your Flutter project. It lists the dependencies, such as libraries and packages, that your app relies on. These dependencies can reflect your Flutter version indirectly. That is because certain packages are only compatible with specific versions of Flutter or Dart.

How Project Dependencies Reflect Flutter Versions?

When you specify a dependency, such as flutter, sdk: flutter in pubspec.yaml, it ensures your project uses compatible versions of Flutter and Dart. If a package needs a higher version, you might need to check your Flutter version and update it to match the requirements.

Keeping both your flutter and package versions aligned prevents conflicts, ensuring your project runs smoothly. Convert existing native app code to Flutter to avoid compatibility issues with dependencies.

How To Manage Compatible Versions? 

To avoid version conflicts, you can define a range of compatible versions in pubspec.yaml using operators like ^ or >=. For example, specifying ^2.0.0 ensures you are using version 2.0.0 or later while staying within the stable version range. You can run the command flutter pub get to download these dependencies and verify compatibility. 

This approach ensures your project stays up-to-date and minimize errors related to version mismatches, keeping your app running smoothly. Explore Flutter for fintech apps and how version management is crucial.

Upgrading Flutter and Dart

When checking your Flutter version, you may feel the need to upgrade both Flutter and Dart. Updating them regularly allows you to leverage new features, performance improvements, and important bug fixes. Upgrading Flutter and Dart together also ensures compatibility between the two. Why startups choose Flutter for mobile apps to build fast and reliable apps.

So, to upgrade Flutter and Dart, follow these steps:

• Open your terminal or command prompt. Check the installation path by running the command : flutter doctor. 
• Next, run the command flutter upgrade. This command updates Flutter and Dart to the latest stable version. 
• Verify the upgrade by running: flutter – – version. This confirms the version of both Flutter and Dart after the upgrade. 

Once you upgrade Flutter version, you must ensure its compatibility with existing plugins and packages. Chances are, some packages don’t support the latest version of Flutter and Dart. This can cause issues in your project. 

To check compatibility:

1. Review your pubspec.yaml file for any dependencies. 
2. Run the command flutter pub outdated. 

This will show you outdated packages that may need updates. 

1. Update your dependencies as needed by running: flutter pub upgrade. 
2. You can also use: flutter pub upgrade – – major versions. This will update packages to their latest major versions. 
3. Test your application thoroughly after upgrades. Make sure to run your app and check for any issues or warnings in the console. 

Following these steps helps you maintain your app’s stability and performance. You can enjoy the latest improvements in Flutter and Dart. Hire skilled Flutter developers to ensure a smooth and efficient development environment.

How To Troubleshoot Version Issues?

Now that you know how to check flutter version, you should also consider some common problems that may arise during checking or upgrading flutter version. 

• Version Mismatch 

This happens when your project is using a different version of Flutter than what is installed on your system. It can lead to compatibility problems and build errors. 

• Upgrade Errors 

When upgrading your Flutter version, you might encounter errors like “Unable to upgrade Flutter” or “Package not Found”. 

Solutions 

• Check Project’s Flutter Version 

Open the pubspec.yaml file to see the version your project uses. You can also run flutter – – version to check the globally installed version. 

• Switch Flutter Version

Use flutter – – version <version> to switch between versions if you encounter compatibility issues. 

• Resolve Upgrade Errors 

Run flutter clean to remove old build files, then try upgrading again with flutter – – upgrade. This often resolves most issues. 

The Takeaway 

Keeping track of Flutter and Dart is essential for smooth project development. Different versions can lead to performance issues and impact your features and compatibility with packages. By knowing how to check Flutter version, and keeping both Dart and Flutter up-to-date, you avoid issues with outdated tools and ensure your app is built on the latest stable platform. Version control also helps in debugging, team collaboration, and maintaining consistency across different environments. Build your own Flutter app to experience the advantages firsthand.

FAQs:

How do I check the version of Flutter? 

To check the version of Flutter, open your terminal or command prompt and run the command flutter –version. This will display the current Flutter version installed on your system, along with the Dart version and the Flutter framework version.

How do I check my Flutter app? 

To check your Flutter app, run flutter doctor in your terminal. This command inspects your Flutter environment, ensuring that all necessary dependencies (like Android SDK, Xcode, etc.) are installed and set up correctly for your app’s development.

How to check Flutter PATH in CMD?

To check if Flutter’s path is set in CMD, open the command prompt and run echo %PATH%. This will list all directories in your PATH environment variable. Ensure that the directory containing the flutter executable is listed there, which allows you to run Flutter commands from anywhere.

How do you check if Flutter is installed or not? 

To check if Flutter is installed, open the terminal or command prompt and run flutter –version. If Flutter is installed, the version information will be displayed. If it’s not installed, you’ll see an error message, indicating that the command is not recognized.