Crashes On API Level 29 / Pixel2: Could Not Find 'libflutter.so'. Looked For: [x86], But Only Found: [armeabi-v7a]

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This article addresses a common issue encountered by Flutter developers: app crashes on Pixel 2 devices running API Level 29. The error message typically indicates that the system could not find the libflutter.so library, specifically for the x86 architecture. This problem arises even when no specific ABI filters are defined in the build.gradle file. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the root causes of this issue, explore various troubleshooting steps, and provide effective solutions to ensure your Flutter applications run smoothly on older devices like the Pixel 2. Understanding the intricacies of ABI architectures and Flutter's build process is crucial for resolving this problem and ensuring a seamless user experience across different Android devices. We will also examine common configurations and potential pitfalls that developers might encounter, offering best practices and workarounds to mitigate these issues.

Problem Description

The primary symptom of this issue is an immediate app crash when running a Flutter application on a Pixel 2 device with API Level 29. The error logs will display a message similar to: “Could not find ‘libflutter.so’. Looked for: [x86], but only found: [armeabi-v7a].” This error signifies that the Flutter runtime library, crucial for executing Flutter code on Android, is not available for the device's architecture. The Pixel 2, particularly when running on API Level 29, uses the x86 architecture, and the system is unable to locate the necessary libflutter.so file compiled for this architecture. This mismatch between the expected architecture and the available libraries leads to the application failing to initialize and crashing upon launch. The problem is further complicated by the fact that it often occurs even when developers have not explicitly set any ABI filters in their build.gradle file, suggesting a deeper issue within the Flutter build process or device configuration. Understanding the interplay between ABI architectures, Flutter's native libraries, and the Android runtime environment is essential for diagnosing and resolving this crash effectively. We will explore each of these components in detail, providing developers with the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle this challenge.

Steps to Reproduce

To replicate the crash, follow these steps meticulously:

  1. Set Up Your Environment: Begin by ensuring you have the latest version of Flutter installed on your development machine. This is crucial as newer Flutter versions often include fixes and improvements that address compatibility issues with older Android devices and API levels. Use the flutter upgrade command in your terminal to update to the latest stable release. Additionally, verify that your Android SDK is correctly configured and that you have the necessary build tools and platform SDKs installed via the Android SDK Manager. Proper setup of your development environment is the foundation for successful Flutter development and debugging.
  2. Create a New Flutter App: Generate a new Flutter application using the command flutter create my_app. This command creates a basic Flutter project with all the necessary files and configurations. Starting with a fresh project helps to isolate the issue and eliminate any potential conflicts or configurations from existing projects that might be contributing to the crash. A clean project also ensures that the steps to reproduce the issue are consistent and reproducible across different development environments.
  3. Build the App: Build the Flutter application using the command flutter build apk --debug. This command compiles your Flutter code into an Android application package (APK) in debug mode. The debug mode is particularly useful for identifying and diagnosing issues, as it includes additional debugging information and allows for step-by-step execution of the code. The generated APK will contain the compiled Dart code, Flutter runtime libraries, and other assets necessary for running the application on an Android device or emulator.
  4. Run on Pixel 2 (API 29): Attempt to run the built application on a Pixel 2 device or emulator running API Level 29. You can use the Android Emulator within Android Studio or connect a physical Pixel 2 device to your development machine. Ensure that the device or emulator is properly configured and connected before attempting to run the application. This step is critical for verifying whether the crash occurs under the specified conditions.
  5. Observe the Crash: If the issue persists, the application will crash immediately upon launch. The error message “Could not find ‘libflutter.so’” will appear in the logs, indicating that the system is unable to locate the required Flutter runtime library for the x86 architecture. This crash confirms the presence of the issue and allows you to proceed with troubleshooting and implementing the solutions outlined in this article. Observing the crash and identifying the specific error message is the first step towards resolving the problem.

Expected vs. Actual Results

Expected Results

The expected outcome is that the Flutter application should run flawlessly on the Pixel 2 device, irrespective of it running API level 29. This expectation is based on Flutter’s promise of cross-platform compatibility, which should ensure that applications built with Flutter are capable of running smoothly on a diverse range of Android devices and API levels. Ideally, the application should initialize without any errors, render the user interface correctly, and respond to user interactions as designed. The absence of crashes and error messages is a clear indication that the Flutter runtime libraries are correctly loaded and executed, allowing the application to function as intended. This seamless execution is crucial for delivering a positive user experience and maintaining the credibility of Flutter as a reliable cross-platform development framework.

Actual Results

In reality, the application crashes abruptly upon launch. The error message