Learn how to effectively manage versioning for your Flutter app, including semantic versioning, build numbers, and platform-specific considerations for iOS and Android.
In the journey from zero to the app store, one of the critical aspects of app development is versioning. Proper versioning not only helps in maintaining a structured release process but also ensures that users have a clear understanding of the updates and improvements made to your app. This section will guide you through the intricacies of versioning your Flutter app, covering the essentials of version numbers, build numbers, semantic versioning, and platform-specific considerations for both iOS and Android.
Versioning is a systematic way of assigning unique identifiers to different states of your software. It plays a crucial role in software development, especially when it comes to releasing updates and managing multiple versions of an application.
CFBundleShortVersionString
/ versionName
)The version number is the user-facing identifier of your app. It is what users see in the app store and helps them understand the progression of your app. In Flutter, this is represented as versionName
in Android and CFBundleShortVersionString
in iOS. A typical version number follows the format x.y.z
, where:
For example, a version number of 1.0.0
indicates the first major release of the app.
CFBundleVersion
/ versionCode
)The build number is used internally to track different builds of the same version. It is crucial for the app store submission process, as it must be incremented with each release. In Flutter, this is represented as versionCode
in Android and CFBundleVersion
in iOS. Unlike the version number, the build number is not visible to users but is essential for developers and app store submissions.
Semantic versioning is a versioning scheme that conveys meaning about the underlying changes with each new release. It follows the format MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
:
Major Version Increment:
Minor Version Increment:
Patch Version Increment:
In Flutter, versioning is managed through the pubspec.yaml
file. Here is how you can set the version and build number:
version: 1.0.0+1
version: x.y.z+buildNumber
.1.0.0
is the version number.1
is the build number.When you build your Flutter app, these values are automatically applied to the platform-specific files:
versionName
and versionCode
are updated in the AndroidManifest.xml
.CFBundleShortVersionString
and CFBundleVersion
are updated in the Info.plist
.x.y.z
.CFBundleVersion
) must increase with every upload to the App Store. This ensures that the app store can differentiate between different builds of the same version.versionCode
must be an integer and incremented for each release. This is crucial for the Google Play Store to recognize new versions.versionName
is the user-visible version string and follows the x.y.z
format.Manually incrementing build numbers can be error-prone, especially in a fast-paced development environment. Automating this process can save time and reduce errors.
You can use scripts or tools to automate the incrementation of build numbers. For example, you can write a simple shell script that increments the build number in the pubspec.yaml
file before each build.
#!/bin/bash
awk '/version: /{split($2,a,"+"); $2=a[1]"+"a[2]+1}1' pubspec.yaml > temp.yaml && mv temp.yaml pubspec.yaml
Incorporating versioning into your continuous integration (CI) pipeline can further streamline the process. Tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Bitrise can automatically increment build numbers and deploy new versions to the app store.
Ensure that version and build numbers are consistent across platforms. This consistency helps in maintaining a unified release process and avoids confusion.
Maintain a changelog to track changes between versions. A well-documented changelog helps users understand what has changed, improved, or been fixed in each release.
Inform users of significant changes, especially for major version updates. This can be done through release notes, in-app notifications, or emails.
Below is a sample pubspec.yaml
snippet with versioning:
name: my_flutter_app
description: A new Flutter project.
version: 1.0.0+1
environment:
sdk: ">=2.12.0 <3.0.0"
dependencies:
flutter:
sdk: flutter
Version numbers appear prominently in app store listings, helping users identify the latest version of your app. Here are screenshots showing where version numbers appear in the App Store and Google Play Store:
graph TD; A[App Store Listing] --> B[Version Number Display]; A --> C[Update History]; B --> D[User Interface]; C --> E[Changelog];
Versioning is a fundamental aspect of app development that ensures a smooth release process and clear communication with users. By understanding and implementing semantic versioning, managing build numbers, and considering platform-specific requirements, you can effectively version your Flutter app. Automating versioning tasks and maintaining consistency across platforms will further enhance your development workflow.