To start developing Flutter applications, you need to set up your development environment, which includes installing the Flutter SDK and choosing an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Install Flutter SDK

Step 1: Download Flutter SDK

  • Go to the Flutter official website.
  • Choose your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and download the Flutter SDK.

Step 2: Extract the SDK

  • Extract the downloaded zip file to a location on your system (e.g., C:\flutter on Windows or /Users/your-username/flutter on macOS).

Step 3: Update Environment Variables

  • Windows: Add the flutter/bin directory to your system’s PATH environment variable.
    • Right-click on "This PC" > Properties > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.
    • Under "System variables," find the PATH variable, select it, and click "Edit." Add the path to the flutter/bin directory.
  • macOS/Linux: Open a terminal and run:

    export PATH="$PATH:`<PATH_TO_FLUTTER_DIRECTORY>/flutter/bin`
    To make this change permanent, add the above line to your shell configuration file (e.g., .bashrc, .zshrc).

Step 4: Run Flutter Doctor

  • Open a terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows) and run:

    flutter doctor
    This command checks your environment and displays any dependencies you need to install (like the Dart SDK, Android Studio, or Xcode).

2. Install Dependencies

  • Android Studio: Download and install Android Studio. It includes the Android SDK and is necessary for developing Android apps.

    • During installation, make sure to install the Android SDK, Android SDK Platform-Tools, and Android SDK Build-Tools.

  • Xcode (macOS only): For iOS development, download Xcode from the Mac App Store and install it. You’ll also need to set up Xcode command-line tools by running:


    xcode-select --install

3. Choose an IDE

You can use various IDEs for Flutter development, but the most popular ones are:

  • Android Studio:

    • Install the Flutter and Dart plugins. Go to Preferences > Plugins, search for Flutter, and install it (this also installs the Dart plugin).
    • Create a new Flutter project by selecting "Start a new Flutter project."

  • Visual Studio Code:

    • Install VS Code from the official website.
    • Install the Flutter and Dart extensions from the Extensions Marketplace.
    • Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P) and type "Flutter: New Project" to create a new Flutter project.

  • IntelliJ IDEA: Similar to Android Studio, you can install the Flutter and Dart plugins and create a new project.

4. Set Up an Emulator or Device

  • Android Emulator:

    • Open Android Studio, go to the AVD Manager, and create a new virtual device.
    • Ensure you have an Android device or emulator running when testing your app.

  • iOS Simulator (macOS only):

    • Open Xcode, go to the "Xcode" menu, then "Open Developer Tool" > "Simulator" to launch the iOS simulator.

  • Physical Devices:

    • For Android, enable USB debugging on your device and connect it to your computer.
    • For iOS, connect your device and trust your computer when prompted.

5. Create Your First Flutter Project

  • Use your chosen IDE to create a new Flutter project. This usually involves selecting a template and specifying a project name and location.

  • Run the app on the emulator or connected device using the run button in your IDE.

 You Can Watch On YouTube for setting up on your device


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