To learn how to use MethodChannel for integrating Kotlin and Dart, we’ll create a prototype Flutter app and extend it in accordance with various practical needs.
First, create a new Flutter project with the following command:
flutter create flutter_android_native cd flutter_android_native
Then we will construct the channel.By declaring the following constant, we will use a MethodChannel with a single platform method:
static const platform = MethodChannel('com.example.flutter_android_native');
Here is a quick example of code that makes use of the MethodChannel and shows how to create a function and call native code.
Retrieve the device’s battery level :
Future<String?> _getBatteryPercentage() async {
String batteryPercentage;
try {
final int result = await platform.invokeMethod('getBatteryPercentage');
batteryPercentage = 'Battery at $result %';
} on PlatformException catch (error) {
batteryPercentage = "Failed to get battery level: '${error.message}'";
}
return batteryPercentage;
}
private fun getBatteryPercentage(): Int {
val batteryPercentage: Int
if (VERSION.SDK_INT >= VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP) {
val batteryManager = getSystemService(Context.BATTERY_SERVICE) as BatteryManager
batteryPercentage= batteryManager.getIntProperty(BatteryManager.BATTERY_PROPERTY_CAPACITY)
} else {
val intent = ContextWrapper(applicationContext).registerReceiver(null, IntentFilter(Intent.ACTION_BATTERY_CHANGED))
batteryPercentage= intent!!.getIntExtra(BatteryManager.EXTRA_LEVEL, -1) * 100 / intent.getIntExtra(BatteryManager.EXTRA_SCALE, -1)
}
return batteryPercentage
}
While not every application is a good fit for Flutter, having the option to link your app to native code gives you access to more options, safeguards you in the case that a plugin isn’t available or doesn’t match your needs, and raises your value as a Flutter or Native developer. Below is a link to the project’s Github repository. Thanks for reading.
Project link
