DEV Community

Javeed Ishaq
Javeed Ishaq

Posted on • Edited on

Resolving Java and Gradle Compatibility Issues in Flutter Projects

When creating a new Flutter app, you might encounter compatibility issues between the Java Development Kit (JDK) version and the Gradle version used in your project. Here’s how to address this and ensure a smooth setup

Image description


Issue Overview

You may encounter the following message:

The configured version of Java detected may conflict with the Gradle version in your new Flutter app.

This occurs because the default Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) version requires a specific Java version to work correctly. For example, Gradle version 8.3 requires Java versions in the range:

Java 17 <= compatible Java version < Java 21
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

If your system is using an incompatible Java version, you need to either:

  1. Configure Flutter to use a compatible Java version, or
  2. Update the Gradle version in your project to match your current Java version.

Solution 1: Configure Flutter to Use a Compatible Java Version

To resolve this issue, you can specify a compatible JDK version for Flutter. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Installed Java Versions

Run the following command to list all installed Java versions on your system:

/usr/libexec/java_home -V
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Example output:

Matching Java Virtual Machines (3):
    17.0.8 (arm64) “Oracle Corporation” - “/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-17.jdk/Contents/Home”
    20.0.2 (arm64) “Oracle Corporation” - “/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-20.jdk/Contents/Home”
    11.0.19 (arm64) “Oracle Corporation” - “/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-11.jdk/Contents/Home”
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 2: Choose a Compatible Java Version

Select a Java version compatible with Gradle 8.3. For instance, Java 17 is a good choice. Note its path, e.g.:

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-17.jdk/Contents/Home
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 3: Configure Flutter to Use the Chosen Java Version

Run this command to configure Flutter:

flutter config --jdk-dir=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-17.jdk/Contents/Home
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 4: Verify Configuration

To ensure Flutter is using the specified JDK, run:

flutter doctor
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Look for the following line in the output:

[!] Android toolchain - develop for Android devices (Android SDK version X.X.X)
    JDK location: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-17.jdk/Contents/Home
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

If it matches the path you set, the configuration is successful.


Solution 2: Update Gradle Version

If you prefer to use your currently configured Java version, you’ll need to update the Gradle version in your Flutter project.

Step 1: Modify gradle-wrapper.properties

Navigate to the gradle-wrapper.properties file in your project directory:

/Users/javeedishaq/devwork/demoapp327/android/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Update the Gradle version to one that is compatible with your Java version (e.g., Gradle 8.4 to 8.7).

Example:

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-8.7-bin.zip
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 2: Update Gradle Wrapper

Alternatively, you can use the Gradle Wrapper command to update the version:

./gradlew wrapper --gradle-version=8.7
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Step 3: Verify the Update

Run the project again to confirm that the Gradle and Java versions are compatible:

flutter run
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Additional Resources

By following these steps, you can resolve Java and Gradle compatibility issues effectively and continue developing your Flutter app without interruptions.

Top comments (0)