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How can I implement offline data sync in a Flutter app using local storage?
Asked on Dec 03, 2025
Answer
Implementing offline data synchronization in a Flutter app involves using local storage to cache data and syncing it with a remote server when a network connection is available. This can be achieved using packages like `sqflite` for local storage and `http` for network requests.
<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
// Example of using sqflite for local storage
import 'package:sqflite/sqflite.dart';
import 'package:path/path.dart';
Future<Database> openDatabase() async {
return openDatabase(
join(await getDatabasesPath(), 'app_database.db'),
onCreate: (db, version) {
return db.execute(
"CREATE TABLE items(id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, data TEXT)",
);
},
version: 1,
);
}
Future<void> insertItem(Database db, Map<String, dynamic> item) async {
await db.insert(
'items',
item,
conflictAlgorithm: ConflictAlgorithm.replace,
);
}
// Sync function to be called when online
Future<void> syncData(Database db) async {
final List<Map<String, dynamic>> items = await db.query('items');
// Perform network request to sync data
// Example: await http.post('https://api.example.com/sync', body: items);
}
<!-- END COPY / PASTE -->Additional Comment:
- Use the `connectivity_plus` package to detect network changes and trigger the sync process.
- Ensure data consistency by handling conflicts between local and remote data during synchronization.
- Consider using background services or isolates to manage sync operations without blocking the UI.
- Implement error handling and retries for network requests to ensure reliable data sync.
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