Overview
open_file_safe is a Flutter plugin that safely opens files using native system capabilities across multiple platforms. It leverages platform-specific mechanisms—UTI on iOS, Intents on Android, FFI on PC, and dart:html on web—to ensure reliable file opening with consistent string-based results. Designed for cross-platform compatibility, it simplifies file handling in Flutter apps by abstracting native integration details. The package supports secure and seamless file launches without requiring deep platform knowledge.
Use cases
- Opening PDFs, images, and documents from app storage
- Launching external apps to view or edit files
- Integrating file previews in document management apps
- Supporting file sharing between apps
- Enabling offline file access in mobile and desktop apps
Key features
- Cross-platform file opening (Android, iOS, PC, Web)
- Uses native APIs for reliable file handling
- Returns string result for easy error tracking
- Secure and sandboxed execution
- Supports UTI on iOS and Intents on Android
Suitable for
- Developers building file viewer apps
- Apps needing secure file launching
- Cross-platform document management tools
- Educational or productivity apps with file support
- Teams prioritizing platform-native behavior
Considerations
- Requires proper file path permissions on Android and iOS
- Web support depends on browser security policies
- PC support needs FFI setup and native dependencies
- Not suitable for opening files outside app sandbox without user consent
- Limited control over native app selection on some platforms