Why Learn How to Install Flutter and Run the App?

Whether you’re an aspiring mobile developer, a web developer expanding into cross-platform apps, or just curious about app creation, learning how to install Flutter and run the app opens the door to building fast, flexible, and scalable applications using Dart. Flutter’s hot reload, widget-based UI, and native performance make it an attractive choice for modern development.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later, macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon), or a recent Linux distro
• Disk space: 2.8 GB (not including Android Studio or IDE tools)
• Tools: Git, Android Studio (or another IDE), command-line terminal

Step 1: Download and Install Flutter SDK

For Windows

1. Go to the official Flutter download page
2. Download the latest stable release ZIP file
3. Extract the ZIP file to a folder (e.g., C:\src\flutter)
4. Add the Flutter bin directory to your system PATH:
   • Search for “Environment Variables”
   • Edit the system PATH variable
   • Add: C:\src\flutter\bin
5. Open Command Prompt and run: flutter doctor

For macOS

1. Open Terminal and run:

   git clone https://github.com/flutter/flutter.git -b stable

2. Add Flutter to your PATH by editing ~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile:

   export PATH="$PATH:`pwd`/flutter/bin"

3. Apply changes: source ~/.zshrc
4. Run: flutter doctor

For Linux

1. Extract the Flutter SDK:

   tar xf flutter_linux_*.tar.xz

2. Move it to a permanent location (e.g., /opt/flutter)
3. Add Flutter to your PATH in ~/.bashrc:

   export PATH="$PATH:/opt/flutter/bin"

4. Apply changes and run: flutter doctor

Step 2: Install IDE and Android Tools

While you can use any editor, Android Studio is recommended for a seamless experience.

1. Download and install Android Studio
2. During setup, select:
   • Android SDK
   • Android SDK Platform
   • Android Virtual Device
3. After installation, open Android Studio and install the Flutter and Dart plugins via Plugins > Marketplace

Step 3: Create and Run Your First Flutter App

1. Open a terminal or IDE terminal
2. Create a new project:

   flutter create my_first_app

3. Navigate into the project:

   cd my_first_app

4. Run the app:

   flutter run

Note: Make sure an emulator or a real device is connected and visible via flutter devices.

Initial Project Structure

• lib/main.dart: The main entry point of your app
• pubspec.yaml: File for managing dependencies and assets
• android/ and ios/: Platform-specific code folders

Tips for First-Time Users

• Use flutter doctor often to diagnose setup issues
• Try flutter run -d chrome to launch in the browser (Flutter Web)
• Use hot reload (r in terminal) to see instant changes during development
• Explore UI widgets at Flutter Widget Catalog

Troubleshooting Common Flutter Setup Issues

• Command not found: Flutter not in PATH. Double-check environment variable settings.
• No connected devices: Start an emulator from Android Studio or connect a USB-debugging-enabled device.
• Permission denied: On macOS/Linux, try running chmod +x flutter/bin/flutter
• Gradle errors: Run flutter clean then flutter pub get

FAQs: How to Install Flutter and Run the App

Looking to publish your app after development? Read our guide on How to Publish a Flutter App.

Updated: June 2025