Google’s Flutter introduces support for Windows apps, uniting them with Android, iOS, Linux, and more
Google and Microsoft worked to bring Windows support to Flutter, which should result in more apps for PCs.
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What you need to know
Googleannounceda major update to Flutter, its open-source framework that allows developers to share code across multiple platforms. Flutter 2.10’s most significant addition is that it brings stable support for Windows apps in Flutter. As a result, developers can make desktop applications in Flutter while also targeting Android, iOS, Linux, and the web.
Google notes that developing apps withdesktops and PCsin mind is different than making mobile apps. Computers have wider screens and more input methods than smartphones. Apps on PCs also use different APIs than those running on Android or iOS. Because of these facts, Google had to optimize Flutter for Windows.
Flutter combines a Dart framework and a C++ engine to support Windows, which is similar to how it isbuilt to support Androidand iOS.
Multiple teams from Microsoft contributed to Flutter being able to target Windows. Google specifically highlights the Fluent design team’s contribution of iconography. Microsoft’s Visual Studio supports a Dart extension, which also helped the project.
Kevin Gallo, the corporate vice president for Windows Developer Platform at Microsoft, shared his thoughts on Flutter’s support of Windows:
We’re delighted to see Flutter adding support for creating Windows apps. Windows is an open platform, and we welcome all developers. We’re excited to see Flutter developers bring their experiences to Windows and also publish to the Microsoft Store. Flutter support for Windows is a big step for the community, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to Windows!
Several development tools will support Windows as well, including FlutterFlow, Realm, Rive, Syncfusion, and Nevercode.
As of today, there are over 500,000 Flutter apps in the Google Play Store, including apps from BMW, ByteDance (the makers of TikTok), and Google. Flutter is the most popular cross platform framework, according to multiple surveys cited by Google.
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One example of a new Windows Flutter app (cited by Google) can already be found on GitHub.Harmonoidis a native 1:1 YouTube Music client with a mini-Window mode and MPV based music playback.
Flutter was initiallylaunched on Windowsin alpha in September 2020.
You can read more about Flutter for Windows onthe announcement page, which goes into greater detail for developers.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
