Flutter: Detecting Browser Availability on iOS Devices

Are you a Flutter developer struggling to determine whether the browser is available on an iOS device or not? Well, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Flutter and explore the various methods to detect browser availability on iOS devices. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s get started!

The Importance of Browser Detection

Before we dive into the technical details, let’s understand why browser detection is crucial in Flutter app development. In many cases, your app might require browser functionality to open web pages, login to websites, or even render web views within the app itself. However, not all iOS devices have a browser installed, which can lead to app crashes or unexpected behavior.

By detecting whether the browser is available or not, you can:

• Provide a seamless user experience by redirecting users to a fallback solution
• Prevent app crashes and ensure app stability
• Offer alternative solutions for users without a browser

Method 1: Using the `url_launcher` Package

The `url_launcher` package is a popular and widely-used package in Flutter that allows you to launch URLs on the web. But did you know that it can also help you detect whether the browser is available or not?

dependencies:
  url_launcher: ^6.0.12

Add the above dependency to your `pubspec.yaml` file and run `flutter pub get` to install the package.

Now, create a new function that uses the `url_launcher` package to detect browser availability:

import 'package:url_launcher/url_launcher.dart';

Future isBrowserAvailable() async {
  try {
    await launch('https://www.google.com');
    return true;
  } catch (e) {
    return false;
  }
}

In the above code, we’re trying to launch a URL using the `launch` function from the `url_launcher` package. If the browser is available, the function will return `true`. If not, it will return `false`.

Method 2: Using the `canLaunch` Method

The `canLaunch` method is a part of the `url_launcher` package that allows you to check whether a URL can be launched or not.

import 'package:url_launcher/url_launcher.dart';

Future isBrowserAvailable() async {
  return await canLaunch('https://www.google.com');
}

In this method, we’re using the `canLaunch` function to check whether the browser can launch a URL or not. If it can, the function returns `true`, indicating that the browser is available.

Method 3: Using Platform Channels

Platform channels are a way to communicate between your Flutter app and the native platform (in this case, iOS). We can use platform channels to query the native platform about the browser availability.

Create a new file called `browser_detector.dart` and add the following code:

import 'package:flutter/services.dart';

class BrowserDetector {
  static const platform = MethodChannel('browser_detector');

  static Future isBrowserAvailable() async {
    try {
      final result = await platform.invokeMethod('isBrowserAvailable');
      return result;
    } catch (e) {
      return false;
    }
  }
}

In the above code, we’re creating a new platform channel called `browser_detector` and a method `isBrowserAvailable` that invokes a native method to check whether the browser is available.

Now, create a new file called `BrowserDetector.swift` in your iOS project’s `Runner` directory and add the following code:

import UIKit

class BrowserDetector: NSObject {
  @objc func isBrowserAvailable() -> Bool {
    let schemes = UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(URL(string: "https://")!)
    return schemes
  }
}

In the above code, we’re using the `canOpenURL` method from the `UIApplication` class to check whether the browser can open a URL or not. If it can, we return `true`, indicating that the browser is available.

Comparison of Methods

We’ve explored three methods to detect browser availability on iOS devices. But which one is the best?

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Method 1: `url_launcher`	Easy to implement, widely-used package	May throw exceptions on some devices
Method 2: `canLaunch`	Simple to use, part of the `url_launcher` package	May not work on older iOS versions
Method 3: Platform Channels	Native-level detection, more accurate results	Requires native code implementation, more complex setup

As you can see, each method has its pros and cons. The choice of method depends on your specific requirements and the complexity of your app.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored three methods to detect whether the browser is available on iOS devices using Flutter. By implementing one of these methods, you can ensure a seamless user experience, prevent app crashes, and provide alternative solutions for users without a browser.

Remember, browser detection is crucial in Flutter app development, and with the techniques discussed in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to handle browser-related challenges on iOS devices.

Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions about detecting browser availability in Flutter on iOS devices.