Make PlatformFile into File in Flutter using File Picker

Question

I am using the File Picker Plugin to choose a file from a device. The file is chosen in the datatype of a PlatformFile, but I want to send the file to Firebase Storage and I need a regular File for that. How can I convert the PlatformFile into a File so that I can send it to Firebase Storage? Here is the code:

PlatformFile pdf;
final GlobalKey<FormState> _formKey = GlobalKey<FormState>();

void _trySubmit() async {
    final isValid = _formKey.currentState.validate();
    if (isValid) {
      _formKey.currentState.save();
      final ref = FirebaseStorage.instance
          .ref()
          .child('article_pdf')
          .child(title + '-' + author + '.pdf');
      await ref.putFile(pdf).onComplete; // This throws an error saying that The argument type 'PlatformFile' can't be assigned to the parameter type 'File'
    }
  }

void _pickFile() async {
    FilePickerResult result = await FilePicker.platform.pickFiles(
      type: FileType.custom,
      allowedExtensions: ['pdf'],
    );
    if (result != null) {
      pdf = result.files.first;
    }
  }

score 15 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 18 '21 at 10:00

15

Try this:

PlatformFile pdf;
final File fileForFirebase = File(pdf.path);

Happy coding! :)

answered Jan 18 '21 at 10:00

Max Mit

320
2
7

5

This doesn't work on Flutter Web as `PlatformFile.path` is not available on web. – lenz Apr 29 '21 at 03:55
@lenz - maybe, I've used it only on mobile devices (Androis and IOS). – Max Mit May 11 '21 at 09:21
@RobertRobinson It works on web, you have to add the path, name and size I think. – J.Maher Jun 13 '21 at 16:16
it will not work with web – Bhargav Sejpal Dec 29 '21 at 12:01
Will not work on web. And also PlatformFile.path returns a String while File() expects a Path – juniortan May 11 '22 at 23:07

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered May 13 '21 at 20:18

If you're on a web app, you can post image files to Firestore with flutter_file_picker: (Taken from the FAQ page): https://github.com/miguelpruivo/flutter_file_picker/wiki/FAQ

// get file
final result = await FilePicker.platform.pickFiles(type: FileType.any, allowMultiple: 
false);

if (result.files.first != null){
  var fileBytes = result.files.first.bytes;
  var fileName = result.files.first.name;

  // upload file
  await FirebaseStorage.instance.ref('uploads/$fileName').putData(fileBytes);
}

This should be added to the accepted answer to have a complete answer — Adriaan, Dec 30 '22 at 19:00

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 05 '22 at 16:33

-1

This works

File(platformFile.name)

Just be sure not duplicates in the file names in your logic.

answered Dec 05 '22 at 16:33

Zach Gonzalez

792
7
16

Make PlatformFile into File in Flutter using File Picker

3 Answers3