Unlock the Power of External App Integration in Flutter with external_app_launcher

Vikank
2 min readJun 26, 2024
Flutter Mobile Demo App

Hey Flutter enthusiasts!

I recently came across a gem of a library on the pub.dev called external_app_launcher, and I had to share my experience with you all. If you’re looking to enhance your Flutter app by launching external applications seamlessly, this is the library you need.

Why I Love external_app_launcher

In my latest project, I needed a way to open other apps directly from my Flutter app. After some research, I stumbled upon external_app_launcher, it was exactly what I was looking for. Not only does it simplify the process, but it also offers a smooth user experience.

Getting Started

First things first, adding the external_app_launcher to your project is a breeze. Just add it to your pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
external_app_launcher:

(Always check for the latest version on pub.dev).

How to Use It

Using this library is straightforward. Here’s a quick example to get you started:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:external_app_launcher/external_app_launcher.dart';

void main() {
runApp(MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
@override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return MaterialApp(
home: Scaffold(
appBar: AppBar(
title: Text('External App Launcher Example'),
),
body: Center(
child: ElevatedButton(
onPressed: () async {
await LaunchApp.openApp(
androidPackageName: 'com.example.app',
iosUrlScheme: 'example://',
openStore: true,
);
},
child: Text('Open External App'),
),
),
),
);
}
}

Features That Stand Out

  1. Cross-Platform Support: Whether you’re developing for Android or iOS, external_app_launcher has you covered.
  2. Flexibility: You can specify different parameters such as package name for Android or URL scheme for iOS.
  3. Store Fallback: If the app isn’t installed, you can redirect users to the respective app store, ensuring a seamless experience.

Conclusion

If you’re working on a Flutter project that requires interaction with other apps, I highly recommend giving external_app_launcher a try. It’s efficient, easy to implement, and backed by a strong community.

#flutter #external_app_launcher #thirdpartyintegration #mobiledevelopment

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