How to integrate firebase in our flutter project

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to integrating Firebase into a Flutter project (Android + iOS). This works for most Firebase services (Auth, Firestore, Analytics, etc.).

1️⃣ Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

• Flutter SDK installed (flutter doctor shows no major issues)
• A Google account
• Android Studio / Xcode set up
• A real device or emulator

2️⃣ Create a Firebase Project

1. Go to Firebase Console: https://console.firebase.google.com
2. Click Add project
3. Enter project name → Continue
4. Enable/disable Google Analytics (your choice)
5. Create project

3️⃣ Install FlutterFire CLI (Recommended way)

This is the official and easiest method.

dart pub global activate flutterfire_cli

Make sure Dart’s global bin is in your PATH.

Check installation:

flutterfire --version

4️⃣ Configure Firebase for Your Flutter App

From your Flutter project root:

flutterfire configure

This will:

• Ask you to select your Firebase project
• Detect Android / iOS / Web platforms
• Automatically:
  • Register apps in Firebase
  • Download config files
  • Generate firebase_options.dart

✔️ This replaces manual setup for most cases

5️⃣ Add Firebase Core Dependency

In pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  flutter:
    sdk: flutter
  firebase_core: ^2.24.2

Then:

flutter pub get

6️⃣ Initialize Firebase in main.dart

Import Firebase and initialize before runApp.

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:firebase_core/firebase_core.dart';
import 'firebase_options.dart';

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();
  await Firebase.initializeApp(
    options: DefaultFirebaseOptions.currentPlatform,
  );
  runApp(const MyApp());
}

7️⃣ Platform-Specific Notes

✅ Android

FlutterFire CLI handles:

• google-services.json
• Gradle setup

Make sure:

• minSdkVersion ≥ 21
  In android/app/build.gradle:

minSdkVersion 21

✅ iOS

FlutterFire CLI handles:

• GoogleService-Info.plist
• Firebase pods

Run:

cd ios
pod install

In Xcode:

• Set iOS deployment target to 11.0 or higher

8️⃣ Add Firebase Services (Example)

🔐 Firebase Authentication

flutter pub add firebase_auth

Example usage:

import 'package:firebase_auth/firebase_auth.dart';

final auth = FirebaseAuth.instance;

User? user = auth.currentUser;

📦 Cloud Firestore

flutter pub add cloud_firestore

Example:

FirebaseFirestore.instance
  .collection('users')
  .add({'name': 'John', 'age': 25});

9️⃣ Run the App

flutter run

If everything is correct, the app will launch without Firebase errors 🎉

🔥 Common Errors & Fixes

✅ Recommended Next Steps

• Enable Authentication providers (Email, Google, Phone)
• Set up Firestore rules
• Add Crashlytics
• Add Push Notifications (FCM)