Camera access in Flutter

Introduction

Camera access lets your app take pictures or record videos. It helps users capture moments directly inside your app.

You want users to take profile photos inside your app.

Your app needs to scan QR codes or barcodes using the camera.

You want to let users record videos for sharing or saving.

Your app offers augmented reality features that use the camera view.

You want to build a photo editing app that starts with a camera capture.

Syntax

Flutter

import 'package:camera/camera.dart';

// Initialize camera
final cameras = await availableCameras();
final firstCamera = cameras.first;

// Create controller
final controller = CameraController(
  firstCamera,
  ResolutionPreset.high,
);

await controller.initialize();

// Use controller to show preview or take picture

You must add camera package in pubspec.yaml to use camera features.

Always initialize the camera controller before using it.

Examples

This gets the list of available cameras and selects the first one (usually the back camera).

Flutter

final cameras = await availableCameras();
final camera = cameras.first;

Create a controller to manage the camera and initialize it before use.

Flutter

final controller = CameraController(camera, ResolutionPreset.medium);
await controller.initialize();

Take a picture using the initialized camera controller.

Flutter

await controller.takePicture();

Sample App

This app opens the device camera and shows a live preview. When you tap the camera button, it takes a picture and shows it in a popup.

Flutter

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:camera/camera.dart';
import 'dart:io';

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();
  final cameras = await availableCameras();
  final firstCamera = cameras.first;
  runApp(MyApp(camera: firstCamera));
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  final CameraDescription camera;
  const MyApp({super.key, required this.camera});

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: CameraScreen(camera: camera),
    );
  }
}

class CameraScreen extends StatefulWidget {
  final CameraDescription camera;
  const CameraScreen({super.key, required this.camera});

  @override
  State<CameraScreen> createState() => _CameraScreenState();
}

class _CameraScreenState extends State<CameraScreen> {
  late CameraController _controller;
  late Future<void> _initializeControllerFuture;

  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    _controller = CameraController(
      widget.camera,
      ResolutionPreset.medium,
    );
    _initializeControllerFuture = _controller.initialize();
  }

  @override
  void dispose() {
    _controller.dispose();
    super.dispose();
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(title: const Text('Camera Access Example')),
      body: FutureBuilder<void>(
        future: _initializeControllerFuture,
        builder: (context, snapshot) {
          if (snapshot.connectionState == ConnectionState.done) {
            return CameraPreview(_controller);
          } else {
            return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
          }
        },
      ),
      floatingActionButton: FloatingActionButton(
        onPressed: () async {
          try {
            await _initializeControllerFuture;
            final image = await _controller.takePicture();
            if (!mounted) return;
            await showDialog(
              context: context,
              builder: (_) => AlertDialog(
                content: Image.file(
                  File(image.path),
                  fit: BoxFit.cover,
                ),
              ),
            );
          } catch (e) {
            ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(
              SnackBar(content: Text('Error: $e')),
            );
          }
        },
        child: const Icon(Icons.camera_alt),
      ),
    );
  }
}

Important Notes

Remember to add camera permissions in your AndroidManifest.xml and Info.plist files.

Test camera features on a real device for best results.

Handle errors like camera not available or permission denied gracefully.

Summary

Camera access lets apps take pictures or videos inside the app.

Use the camera package to control the device camera in Flutter.

Always initialize the camera controller before showing preview or taking photos.