How to use java code with flutter

Flutter can absolutely talk to Java code—that’s how you access Android native features. The key concept you need is Platform Channels.

I’ll walk you through it step-by-step, from idea → code → common use cases.

Big picture (how Flutter talks to Java)

Flutter (Dart)
   ↓ Platform Channel
Android (Java)

Flutter sends a message → Java handles it → Java sends a result back.

Method 1: Using Platform Channels (Most Common & Recommended)

Step 1: Create a MethodChannel in Flutter (Dart)

import 'package:flutter/services.dart';

class NativeService {
  static const platform = MethodChannel('com.example/native');

  static Future<String> getDeviceName() async {
    try {
      final String result = await platform.invokeMethod('getDeviceName');
      return result;
    } catch (e) {
      return "Failed to get device name";
    }
  }
}

Usage in UI:

TextButton(
  onPressed: () async {
    String name = await NativeService.getDeviceName();
    print(name);
  },
  child: Text("Get Device Name"),
)

Step 2: Handle the call in Java (Android side)

Open:

android/app/src/main/java/.../MainActivity.java

package com.example.myapp;

import android.os.Build;
import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
import io.flutter.embedding.android.FlutterActivity;
import io.flutter.embedding.engine.FlutterEngine;
import io.flutter.plugin.common.MethodChannel;

public class MainActivity extends FlutterActivity {
    private static final String CHANNEL = "com.example/native";

    @Override
    public void configureFlutterEngine(@NonNull FlutterEngine flutterEngine) {
        super.configureFlutterEngine(flutterEngine);

        new MethodChannel(
                flutterEngine.getDartExecutor().getBinaryMessenger(),
                CHANNEL
        ).setMethodCallHandler(
            (call, result) -> {
                if (call.method.equals("getDeviceName")) {
                    String deviceName = Build.MODEL;
                    result.success(deviceName);
                } else {
                    result.notImplemented();
                }
            }
        );
    }
}

Now Flutter ↔ Java communication works 🎉

Method 2: Passing Data (Arguments) from Flutter to Java

Flutter

await platform.invokeMethod(
  'addNumbers',
  {"a": 5, "b": 10},
);

Java

if (call.method.equals("addNumbers")) {
    int a = call.argument("a");
    int b = call.argument("b");
    result.success(a + b);
}

Method 3: Calling Java Code Continuously (EventChannel)

Use this when Java sends stream data (battery, sensors, GPS).

EventChannel('com.example/events')

This is useful for:

• Battery level updates
• Sensors
• Network state changes

Method 4: Write a Flutter Plugin (Clean Architecture)

If:

• You reuse Java code in many apps
• You want clean separation
• You’re building production-grade features

Create plugin:

flutter create --template=plugin my_native_plugin

This is how big plugins like camera, firebase, etc. are built.

When should you use Java with Flutter?

✅ Use Java when:

• You need Android-only APIs
• Flutter plugin doesn’t exist
• Performance-critical native code
• Existing Java SDK integration

❌ Avoid when:

• Pure UI logic
• Can be done in Dart easily

Common Real-World Examples

• Payment SDK (Razorpay, Paytm)
• Biometric authentication
• SIM / device info
• Background services
• Bluetooth / NFC

Quick comparison