Allow creating "darwin" (shared codebase for ios/macos) plugins directly in flutter create

Use case

Right now when you create darwin plugin, you have to start with an ios or macos template. Then follow the docs. There are clearly some differences between macos and ios templates. Which one is preferred to start with? Why not just add a darwin platform?

Proposal

Simply make 'darwin' a valid platform option and create a darwin project directly from CLI.

flutter create --template=plugin --platforms="darwin" my_plugin

@okorohelijah

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@okorohelijah

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Here's an example of one in the wild: https://github.com/flutter/packages/blob/7ff1b38ea79cac09fa2c49adf4128db0e5ae4dbb/packages/google_sign_in/google_sign_in_ios/pubspec.yaml#L15-L22

Had to create a darwin plugin again. Here are all steps.

Create an iOS plugin.
Rename ios folder to darwin.

For legacy cocoapods support.

Update <your plugin>.podspec, replace iOS config with iOS and macOS config:

  s.ios.dependency 'Flutter'
  s.osx.dependency 'FlutterMacOS'

  s.ios.deployment_target = '11.0'
  s.osx.deployment_target = '10.15'

  s.ios.pod_target_xcconfig = { 'DEFINES_MODULE' => 'YES', 'EXCLUDED_ARCHS[sdk=iphonesimulator*]' => 'i386' }
  s.osx.pod_target_xcconfig = { 'DEFINES_MODULE' => 'YES' }

For swift pm support, add minimum macOS version in package.swift platforms field:

    platforms: [
        .iOS("14.0"),
        .macOS("10.15")
    ],

In pubspec.yaml, add sharedDarwinSource:

  plugin:
    platforms:
      ios:
        pluginClass: YourPlugin
        sharedDarwinSource: true
      macos:
        pluginClass: YourPlugin
        sharedDarwinSource: true

In your plugin implementation swift code. Replace imports with macOS support:

import Foundation

#if os(iOS)
  import Flutter
#elseif os(macOS)
  import FlutterMacOS
#endif

In plugin register func, there's some nuances to handle:

    #if os(iOS)
      let binaryMessenger = registrar.messenger()
    #elseif os(macOS)
      let binaryMessenger = registrar.messenger
    #endif
    let channel = FlutterMethodChannel(
      name: "<your_plugin>", binaryMessenger: binaryMessenger)

Now, you should be able to compile both platforms with a shared codebase.

Add shared Darwin implementation for plugins (#176495)

Add shared Darwin implementation for plugins (flutter#176495)

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Allow creating "darwin" (shared codebase for ios/macos) plugins directly in `flutter create` #161019

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Allow creating "darwin" (shared codebase for ios/macos) plugins directly in flutter create #161019

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flutter-triage-bot commented on Sep 16, 2025

flutter-triage-bot commented on Sep 16, 2025

stuartmorgan-g commented on Sep 16, 2025

jmagman commented on Sep 16, 2025

mgenware commented on Oct 2, 2025

github-actions commented on Dec 11, 2025

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Allow creating "darwin" (shared codebase for ios/macos) plugins directly in `flutter create` #161019