How to debug Flutter apps over Wi-Fi(without root)

#flutter #mobile #tutorial #android

Let's just say you want to debug your Flutter app on android device, you use a USB cable right?

Yes but using a USB cable has its downsides

If your charging port is loose for some reason, then a slight move will disconnect your app ☹️
On MacOS is displays a certain annoying "Please install SmartSwitch or some app" message
Lack of flexibility
Among other annoyances

So lets try debugging over wifi

Debugging over wifi

Requirements

Your phone 📱
Your machine 👨🏽‍💻
A USB cable. 〜
Your machine and phone should be connected to the same wifi.

Steps

Step 1
Connect your device to your machine using USB

Step 2
Open terminal and type the following

$ adb kill-server
$ adb tcpip 5555

This will kill current adb server and create another server which listens on all interfaces.

If it says something like this

* daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
* daemon started successfully
restarting in TCP mode port: 5555

Remove phone from mobile device and go to the next step

Step 3
Get you device's wifi IP address. To do this:

Go to
Settings > Connections > Click Wifi Name > View properties(Which has the IP)

Settings > About Phone > Status > IP Address(Which has IP)

Your ip should be something like 192.168.100.X

Step 4
Inside your terminal type

adb connect YOUR_IP:5555

And if it says something like this:

connected to 192.168.100.X:5555

You are good to go

Safety Concerns

While this method offers convenience and flexibility, it might not be safe to do it on a public wifi or a wifi that you don't trust. After all someone might be listening in for open ports just to do something crazy, So be careful...