Ask any question about Mobile Development here... and get an instant response.
How can I implement background data sync in a Flutter app?
Asked on Nov 30, 2025
Answer
To implement background data sync in a Flutter app, you can use the `workmanager` plugin, which allows scheduling background tasks on both Android and iOS. This plugin helps you run Dart code in the background, even when the app is not active.
<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
import 'package:workmanager/workmanager.dart';
void callbackDispatcher() {
Workmanager().executeTask((task, inputData) {
// Perform background data sync here
// Example: Fetch data from API and store it locally
return Future.value(true);
});
}
void main() {
Workmanager().initialize(
callbackDispatcher,
isInDebugMode: true, // Set to false in production
);
Workmanager().registerPeriodicTask(
"1",
"simplePeriodicTask",
frequency: Duration(hours: 1),
);
runApp(MyApp());
}
<!-- END COPY / PASTE -->Additional Comment:
- Ensure you have the necessary permissions and configurations for background tasks in both Android and iOS.
- Test the background sync functionality thoroughly to ensure it works reliably across different devices and OS versions.
- Consider battery usage and data consumption when implementing background sync to optimize performance and user experience.
- Use local notifications or other mechanisms to inform users about the sync status if needed.
Recommended Links:
