Physical device (iPad) not detected in vs code for flutter but detected and working proper for debugging in Xcode

Question

Here's my Environment

• Xcode Version: 11.1 (11A1027)
• Physical device: - iPad mini 2 (IOS 12.4.2)
• VSCode Version: 1.39.2
• Flutter version: 1.9.1+hotfix.6

When I use the iOS part of the Flutter project and run it physical device using XCode, it detects the device and works fine but I am somehow not able to see the device on the available devices section on VSCode.

However VSCode detects and works fine with the simulator.

I also ran flutter doctor to see connected devices, but again it does not show the connected physical devices but shows the simulator created device.

Answer 1

Use rm -rf <flutter_repo_directory>/bin/cache to force delete the files in cache and then flutter doctor -v to reinstall the missing sdk directories.

Deleting the cache in flutter/bin/cache directory and then reinstalling the dart sdk solved this issue.

Referred to this issue in Flutter repository(Issue No:41006).

Answer 2

Sometimes it doesn't detect the device if it is not directly connected to the computer. I had a docking station in between and it didn't recognized the device. Especially after you have updated you macOS just before.

Answer 3

iPadOS / iOS Devices Setup for Hot Reload

Before trying to flutter Debug on physical device from Vscode it is Required to first :

Run a successful Xcode build on that iOS or iPadOS device

Follow this steps if you don't know how to Run Xcode Build -> your device should then be detected by flutter :

1. Open Xcode & do all the classic Set Up (Signing in with a Team & choosing a UNIQUE bundle Identifier)

2. Set Your iPhone Auto-Lock to Never (& Unlock it !) - Connect your iPhone or iPad to Mac with USB cable & Accept Prompt on the iPhone

3. Run Xcode Build on your iPhone this alert prompt will select Ok
4. On your iPhone a new menu will have appeared - Navigate to it & Click « Verify App » or « Accept »
5. Now Run Xcode Build Again - if does not run try running flutter clean & flutter build ios & try running again

—

1. After Successful Xcode Build - Stop Running the App
2. Keep Xcode Open

— iOS Setup is done

Close all Simulators or Emulators - Close VsCode

run flutter devices to make sure your Device is now detected

if it’s not try Turning it off & plugging it back again - remember to accept Trust Computer Prompt - keep it device unlocked too !

Open back your project in VsCode or Android Studio

Hot Reload⚡️Using VsCode :

Press F8 or Select ▷ « Start Debugging » in main.dart

That’s it ! You now have the power of Hot Reload⚡️ with VsCode on a physical device !

Hot Reload using Terminal Commands :

run flutter run -d yourDeviceID

Have fun ! Press r in Terminal for HotReload⚡️

If you need to find your iOS device ID :

Select Add Additional Simulators

Hot Reload⚡️on Android Studio :

Select your device & run