How to Fix: Your Project Requires a Newer Version of the Kotlin Gradle Plugin in Flutter

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Flutter developers often encounter version compatibility issues when working with Android components in their projects. One common error is the Kotlin Gradle plugin version mismatch. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the exact steps to resolve the "Your project requires a newer version of the Kotlin Gradle plugin" error message in your Flutter projects.

Quick Solution This error occurs when your Flutter project requires a newer version of the Kotlin Gradle plugin than what's currently configured. You'll need to update the Kotlin plugin version in your Android configuration files.

Understanding the Flutter Error Message

When you run your Flutter project and encounter this error, you'll see a message that looks like this:

┌─ Flutter Fix ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [!] Your project requires a newer version of the Kotlin Gradle plugin.                                 │
│ Find the latest version on https://kotlinlang.org/docs/releases.html#release-details, then update the  │
│ version number of the plugin with id "org.jetbrains.kotlin.android" in the plugins block of            │
│ E:\Project\Flutter Project\yourproject\android\settings.gradle.                                         │
│                                                                                                        │
│ Alternatively (if your project was created before Flutter 3.19), update                                │
│ E:\Project\Flutter Project\yourproject\android\build.gradle                                             │
│ ext.kotlin_version = ''                                                                │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

This error appears because of a version mismatch between the Kotlin Gradle plugin required by your Flutter project and the version specified in your project configuration files.

Why This Error Occurs

There are several reasons why you might encounter this error:

Flutter SDK updates often include requirements for newer versions of the Kotlin Gradle plugin
The Android Gradle plugin was updated separately and now requires a newer Kotlin version
Your project was created with an older Flutter version but is being run with a newer version

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's go through the detailed steps to fix this error:

1. Find the Latest Kotlin Version

First, you need to check for the latest stable version of Kotlin. As mentioned in the error message, visit:

Kotlin Release Details

On this page, look for the latest stable release version (as of April 2025, this might be around version 1.9.x or 2.0.x).

2. Update the Kotlin Version in Your Project

The error message provides two approaches, depending on when your Flutter project was created:

For Projects Created After Flutter 3.19

Open your Flutter project in your preferred IDE
Navigate to the Android folder in your project directory
Open the settings.gradle file
Find the line with id "org.jetbrains.kotlin.android"
Update the version number to the latest version you found

Your code should look something like this:

pluginManagement {
    repositories {
        gradlePluginPortal()
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
    plugins {
        id "org.jetbrains.kotlin.android" version "1.9.10" // Update this version number
    }
}

For Projects Created Before Flutter 3.19

Open your Flutter project in your preferred IDE
Navigate to the Android folder in your project directory
Open the build.gradle file (not to be confused with app/build.gradle)
Find the line with ext.kotlin_version = '...'
Update the version number to the latest version you found

Your code should look something like this:

buildscript {
    ext.kotlin_version = '1.9.10' // Update this version number
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
    dependencies {
        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.3.0'
        classpath "org.jetbrains.kotlin:kotlin-gradle-plugin:$kotlin_version"
    }
}

3. Clean and Rebuild Your Project

After updating the Kotlin version, you should clean and rebuild your project to ensure all changes take effect:

# Run these commands in your project directory
flutter clean
flutter pub get
flutter run

Success! After following these steps, the Kotlin Gradle plugin version error should be resolved, and your Flutter project should build and run successfully.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even after updating the Kotlin version, you might encounter some related issues:

What if I update the version but still get the same error?

Make sure you're updating the correct file. Depending on your Flutter project structure, you might need to update both settings.gradle and build.gradle. Also, ensure you've run flutter clean to clear any cached builds.

What if I encounter compatibility issues with the latest Kotlin version?

Not all Kotlin versions are compatible with all Android Gradle plugin versions. If you're experiencing compatibility issues, try using a slightly older but still recent Kotlin version. Check the compatibility matrix in the Kotlin documentation.

Should I always use the latest Kotlin version?

While using the latest stable version is generally recommended for security and feature benefits, you should ensure it's compatible with your other dependencies. Sometimes, sticking with a slightly older but well-supported version might be more stable for your project.

Best Practices for Kotlin Version Management in Flutter

To avoid this error in the future, consider implementing these best practices:

Best Practice	Description
Regular Updates	Periodically check for updates to both Flutter and Kotlin
Version Control	Document your dependency versions in project documentation
CI/CD Testing	Include version compatibility checks in your automated testing pipeline
Dependency Management	Use dependency management tools to track and update versions systematically

Why Keeping Kotlin Updated Is Important

Maintaining current versions of the Kotlin Gradle plugin in your Flutter projects isn't just about fixing errors. It also ensures you have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and security patches. As Flutter and Android development ecosystems evolve, staying updated helps maintain compatibility with newer APIs and tools.

Important Note! When updating the Kotlin version, make sure to test your app thoroughly afterward, as some APIs or behaviors might have changed between versions.

Conclusion

The "Your project requires a newer version of the Kotlin Gradle plugin" error is common but easily fixable by updating your project's Kotlin version. By following the step-by-step guide above, you can quickly resolve this issue and get back to developing your Flutter application.

Remember that keeping your development dependencies updated is an important part of maintaining a healthy Flutter project. Regular updates not only resolve errors like this but also improve performance, security, and compatibility with new features.

Info!
This article was last updated in April 2025. Flutter and Kotlin version numbers might have changed since then. Always refer to the official documentation for the most current information.

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