How to Downgrade Flutter SDK to a Specific Version

19 December 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Upgrading your Flutter SDK can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with your existing projects. If you find yourself needing to revert to an earlier version of the Flutter SDK, this guide will walk you through the process of downgrading effectively.

Understanding Flutter Versioning

Flutter uses Git for version control, which means that changing versions can be managed through Git commands. This provides flexibility in switching between different versions or branches as needed.

Steps to Downgrade Flutter SDK

Method 1: Using Flutter Commands

1. Switch Branches: Use the command flutter channel <branch> to switch between branches, such as stable, beta, dev, or master.
2. Downgrade to Specific Version: Execute flutter downgrade <version>. For example, flutter downgrade v1.2.1 will switch your SDK to version 1.2.1.
3. Verify Installation: Run flutter doctor to ensure that the downgrade was successful and all dependencies are correctly configured.

Method 2: Using Git Commands

1. Navigate to Flutter Directory: Open a terminal and change the directory to your Flutter SDK location.
2. Checkout Specific Version: Run git checkout <version number> to switch to a specific version. For example, git checkout v1.22.6.
3. Confirm with Flutter Doctor: Use flutter doctor to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

Method 3: Using FVM (Flutter Version Manager)

1. Install FVM: Use a package manager like Homebrew to install FVM.
2. Install Desired Version: Use fvm install <version> to install a specific Flutter version.
3. Set Global Version: Optionally, set the installed version as global using fvm global <version>.

Additional Tips

• Ensure your environment variables are correctly set before and after downgrading.
• Restart your IDE to apply the changes effectively.

Leveraging Repeato for Flutter Projects

When managing multiple versions of Flutter for testing purposes, Repeato can be an invaluable tool. As a no-code test automation solution, Repeato allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests for your Flutter apps efficiently. Its computer vision and AI-based approach ensure that your tests remain robust across different SDK versions, providing a seamless testing experience.

For more insights on effectively managing your Flutter projects, visit our Flutter Test Automation page.

Check it out!

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