19 December 2024 Leave a comment Tech-Help
When developing a Flutter application, it’s not uncommon to encounter a multidex issue, particularly when adding numerous dependencies. The error typically manifests as a DexException, indicating multiple dex files define the same classes. This guide will walk you through a straightforward solution to resolve this issue efficiently.
Understanding the Problem
The root cause of the multidex issue is the method limit imposed by the Android build system. When your application and its dependencies exceed 64K methods, you must enable multidex support to split your app into multiple dex files.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Enable Multidex Support
The first step is to ensure that multidex is enabled in your Flutter project. Follow these simple steps:
- Open your
android/app/build.gradlefile. - Add the following lines to your
defaultConfigblock:
defaultConfig {
...
multiDexEnabled true
}dependencies {
...
implementation 'androidx.multidex:multidex:2.0.1'
}2. Use Jetifier
Ensure compatibility with AndroidX by enabling Jetifier:
- Open your
android/gradle.propertiesfile. - Add the following lines:
android.useAndroidX=true
android.enableJetifier=true3. Adjust Minimum SDK Version
If your project allows, setting the minSdkVersion to 21 can simplify the process:
- Open
android/app/build.gradle. - Modify the
minSdkVersionwithindefaultConfig:
defaultConfig {
...
minSdkVersion 21
...
}Additional Considerations
For projects that need to support Android SDK versions below 21, you can utilize the --multidex flag when building your app:
flutter build apk --multidexThis approach ensures that multidex support is enabled without altering the minSdkVersion unnecessarily.
Integrating Repeato for Efficient Testing
While resolving multidex issues ensures your app builds correctly, ensuring its functionality through testing is equally crucial. This is where Repeato can be a valuable asset. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool tailored for Flutter mobile apps, allowing you to create, run, and maintain automated tests efficiently. Its reliance on computer vision and AI makes it particularly fast and effective, providing seamless support for your testing needs.
For more detailed information on utilizing virtual test devices and running test batches, consider exploring our comprehensive documentation.
