Solving the Flutter CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED Error

Solving the Flutter CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED Error

19 December 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

When developing Flutter applications, encountering a CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED error during a POST request can be a common issue. This error typically indicates a problem with certificate verification, preventing secure communication between your app and the server. This guide will walk you through effective solutions to resolve this error.

Understanding the Error

The CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED error arises when the Flutter app is unable to verify the SSL certificate of the server it is trying to communicate with. This can occur due to a variety of reasons including an expired certificate, a self-signed certificate, or a missing certificate authority.

Solution: Handling Certificates in Development

During development, you might want to bypass certificate validation to focus on building features. However, this is advisable only in a development environment and not in production.

Implementing a Temporary Override

To temporarily bypass certificate verification in Flutter, you can override the default HTTP client behavior. Here’s how you can do it:

import 'dart:io';

class MyHttpOverrides extends HttpOverrides {
  @override
  HttpClient createHttpClient(SecurityContext? context) {
    return super.createHttpClient(context)
      ..badCertificateCallback = (X509Certificate cert, String host, int port) => true;
  }
}

void main() {
  HttpOverrides.global = MyHttpOverrides();
  runApp(MyApp());
}

By setting HttpOverrides.global, you allow all certificates, bypassing the verification process. Remember, this is strictly for development purposes. For production, ensure your certificates are correctly set up.

Alternative Solution: Using a Trusted Certificate

If you prefer a more secure approach even during development, consider using a trusted certificate. You can download a certificate from a trusted certificate authority and configure your app to use it:

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  ByteData data = await PlatformAssetBundle().load('assets/ca/lets-encrypt-r3.pem');
  SecurityContext.defaultContext.setTrustedCertificatesBytes(data.buffer.asUint8List());

  runApp(MyApp());
}

This method ensures that your app only trusts certificates from known authorities, providing a balance between security and convenience during development.

Solution-Oriented Approach with Repeato

When developing and testing Flutter applications, efficient testing processes are crucial. This is where Repeato comes into play. As a no-code test automation tool, Repeato allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests for your mobile apps seamlessly. Leveraging computer vision and AI, Repeato ensures your tests are both fast and reliable, making it an excellent companion for tackling issues like certificate verification during development.

For more insights into Flutter development, explore our comprehensive guides on topics such as resolving common Flutter errors and optimizing your app for different screen sizes.

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