How to Fix a Broken Flutter App After FFmpegKit Removal

Are you facing build errors and broken audio features in your Flutter app after FFmpegKit was removed? This article provides a practical guide to restore your app’s functionality.

Understanding the Problem

The removal of FFmpegKit can cause significant issues for Flutter apps relying on its audio processing capabilities. Build processes fail, and audio-related features stop working. The following steps outline a workaround to use a local version of FFmpegKit.

Solution: Using a Local FFmpegKit Package

Step 1: Download FFmpegKit Flutter

Download the specific FFmpegKit Flutter version you were previously using. If you used version 6.0.3, download it:

flutter pub add ffmpeg_kit_flutter: ^6.0.3
 

Step 2: Place the FFmpegKit Folder in Your Project

Locate the downloaded `ffmpeg_kit_flutter` package from pub cache then move that folder into the root directory of your Flutter project.

Step 3: Clone the FFmpegKit Repository

Inside the newly placed `ffmpeg_kit_flutter` folder, clone the FFmpegKit repository:

git clone https://github.com/arthenica/ffmpeg-kit.git
 

Step 4: Configure pubspec.yaml

Modify your `pubspec.yaml` file to point to the local FFmpegKit Flutter package. Replace the original dependency with a path dependency:

dependencies:
   ffmpeg_kit_flutter:
     path: ./ffmpeg_kit_flutter
 

Step 5: Troubleshooting and Building

Now, try building your project and address any errors that arise. Run the build command and carefully examine the error messages:

flutter run -d 
 

Common Errors and Solutions

  • Missing Binaries: Ensure that the necessary FFmpeg binaries are built for your target platforms (Android, iOS, etc.). Refer to the FFmpegKit documentation for instructions on building binaries.
  • Dependency Conflicts: Carefully review your `pubspec.yaml` file for any conflicting dependencies. Update or resolve conflicts as needed. Try running flutter pub get and flutter pub upgrade.
  • Platform-Specific Issues: Some issues may only occur on specific platforms. Consult FFmpegKit documentation and platform-specific Flutter guides to troubleshoot.
  • Incorrect Build Configuration: This is specific to the target platform, but can occur when setting the environment variables to build the libraries. It can be necessary to reconfigure environment variables as well as checking that the proper build tools are installed for each platform.

Conclusion

By using a local FFmpegKit package and carefully troubleshooting any errors, you can restore your Flutter app’s audio processing capabilities after the original package has been removed. Remember to consult the official FFmpegKit documentation and seek community support if you encounter persistent issues.