How do I set up macos_ui for Flutter on macOS?

Install the package via pub.dev, ensure Flutter 3.35.0 or higher, and configure macos_window_utils in your main() function with proper Xcode settings for deployment targets, as detailed in the README's 'Modern window look' section.

Can macos_ui be used on Windows or Linux?

Technically yes, but with limited functionality—key widgets like MacosColorWell won't work, and the UI may not look native. The README explicitly states best results are on macOS only.

What's the difference between macos_ui and Flutter's Cupertino widgets?

macos_ui is specifically tailored for macOS desktop apps with components like Sidebars and Toolbars, while Cupertino targets iOS/macOS but lacks deep macOS-specific features such as native color pickers and modern window styling.

How to handle window resizing with popups in macos_ui?

Avoid resizing the window below the height of your tallest popup, as Flutter constrains popups to window bounds. The README warns about this limitation and suggests careful UI design.

Is macos_ui compatible with Flutter 2.x?

No, starting from version 2.2.0+1, it requires Flutter 3.35.0 or higher due to deprecations. Older versions will only work with macos_ui 2.2.0, limiting access to updates.

How to customize themes in macos_ui?

Use MacosTheme to override colors and typography, and MacosIcon for icon styling. The README provides examples, but customization is bounded by macOS design guidelines.

macos_ui vs fluent_ui for desktop apps – which is better?

macos_ui excels for macOS-native aesthetics with Apple-compliance, while fluent_ui targets Windows-like UIs. Choose based on platform focus; macos_ui is ideal for macOS-only apps, but fluent_ui may suit cross-platform needs better.

Open-Awesome

MacOS UI

MITDart2.2.2

A Flutter widget library implementing the current macOS design language for building native-looking macOS applications.

Visit Website GitHub

2.1k stars202 forks0 contributors

What is MacOS UI?

macos_ui is a Flutter package that provides a collection of widgets and themes implementing Apple's current macOS design language. It solves the problem of building Flutter applications that need to look and feel native on macOS, offering pre-built components that follow the macOS Human Interface Guidelines.

Target Audience

Flutter developers targeting macOS desktop applications who want to achieve a native macOS aesthetic and user experience without manually implementing custom widgets.

Value Proposition

Developers choose macos_ui because it provides a comprehensive, officially styled widget set specifically for macOS, saving significant development time compared to building custom components and ensuring UI consistency with the operating system.

Overview

Flutter widgets and themes implementing the current macOS design language.

Use Cases

Best For

Building Flutter desktop applications exclusively for macOS
Creating cross-platform apps that need a native macOS interface
Developing productivity or utility tools with standard macOS UI patterns
Prototyping macOS applications quickly using Flutter
Adding macOS-specific features like native color pickers or window styling
Ensuring UI compliance with Apple's Human Interface Guidelines

Not Ideal For

Cross-platform applications requiring identical UI on Windows, Linux, and macOS
Projects stuck on Flutter versions older than 3.35.0
Teams needing server-side rendering or web support, as this is desktop-focused
Apps that require extensive UI customization deviating from standard macOS design patterns

Pros & Cons

Pros

Native macOS Fidelity

Implements authentic macOS components like Sidebars, Toolbars, and PushButtons that strictly follow Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, ensuring a genuine look and feel.

Comprehensive Widget Library

Offers a wide range of widgets including layout (MacosScaffold), form controls (MacosTextField), indicators (ProgressCircle), and selectors (MacosDatePicker), as detailed in the README.

Theme and Icon Support

Provides MacosTheme and MacosIcon for consistent styling that automatically respects system light/dark modes, simplifying UI consistency.

Modern Window Styling

Integrates with macos_window_utils to support unified toolbar styles from macOS Big Sur and later, enhancing visual appeal with native window effects.

Cons

Platform Limitation

Primarily designed for macOS, with key features like MacosColorWell and controlAccentColor() not working on other platforms, as admitted in the README's compatibility notes.

Setup Complexity

Requires additional configuration for older macOS versions and specific Flutter channel usage, including manual Xcode adjustments and dependency on macos_window_utils.

Popup Constraints

Admits that popups are constrained by window bounds, forcing developers to avoid resizing below popup heights, which can limit UI flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

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