With Microsoft ending Xamarin support in May 2024, migrating from Xamarin to more advanced framework has become essential. Among the top choices are flutter and .NET MAUI. With flutter being the preferred option for many. Why? Because it provides stronger performance, reduces maintenance expenses, and speeds up app creation using tools such as Hot Reload. It lets developers share almost all code across platforms and makes learning it simpler for those with a C# background. Also, the migration process takes 4 to 6 months and costs between $20,000 and $60,000, but it can drive future growth. Read this guide till the end to know you can shift from Xamarin to flutter smoothly and smartly.
Preparing for a Successful Xamarin to Flutter Migration
A successful move from Xamarin to Flutter starts with proper preparation. You need to get a full picture of your existing Xamarin application. Take time to evaluate your codebase’s complexity, identify platform-specific implementations and document all third-party dependencies.
Your team’s technical capabilities need assessment before the actual migration begins. Xamarin uses C# and Flutter uses Dart, but many concepts transfer naturally between these languages. Developers with C# experience can learn Dart within 1-2 weeks because of their similar syntax.
Moreover, a detailed migration plan with realistic timelines comes next. Your application’s complexity determines the migration duration. Small to medium apps need 4-6 weeks, while complex enterprise applications take 3-4 months to migrate completely.
Your app components should be categorized based on migration priority:
- Core functionality – Business logic and critical features
- UI components – Screen layouts and user interactions
- Backend integrations – API connections and data handling
- Platform-specific features – Camera, notifications, etc.
The planning phase should help you decide between a phased approach or complete rewrite. Apps with complex logic work better with gradual component-by-component migration. Simpler applications benefit from a fresh rewrite that takes full advantage of Flutter’s architecture.
A complete testing strategy should be in place before migration starts. This includes functional, UI/UX, and performance testing protocols that ensure your new Flutter app maintains or improves your Xamarin app’s quality.
Note that Flutter should support all your app’s current features. Flutter supports most functionalities, but some platform-specific implementations might need custom solutions or different approaches. Good preparation reduces risks and streamlines the actual migration process in later stages.
How to Migrate from Xamarin to Flutter: A Step-By-Step Guide
Let’s explore the actual migration process. Your Xamarin application’s conversion to Flutter needs a step-by-step approach that pays close attention to code structure and functionality. Have a look below!
1. Setting Up Your Flutter Environment
Start by installing Flutter SDK and Dart on your development machine. The next step is to set up your IDE of choice. Android Studio or VS Code are excellent options for Flutter development. You’ll need to create a new Flutter project as the foundation for your migrated app.
2. Learning Dart: A Quick Transition for C# Developers
C# developers will find learning Dart surprisingly easy. The syntax looks a lot like C# or Java, which makes picking it up a breeze. Some C# code can be copied directly into Dart with just a few tweaks, like changing Task to Future.
3. Choosing Your Architecture Pattern
Xamarin typically uses MVVM, but Flutter gives you several state management options. Many teams find that the Bloc pattern (especially Cubits) works great after trying different approaches. Clean Architecture is another reliable approach that has shown great results in real-life migrations.
4. UI Reconstruction Strategy
Flutter’s “everything is a widget” philosophy is different from Xamarin’s approach. Flutter builds layouts with a widget tree right in the code, unlike Xamarin’s XAML. Note that widgets are immutable—you can’t update them by changing properties directly. Your best bet is to work with StatefulWidgets and their State objects.
5. Data Migration Considerations
Your user’s data transition from Xamarin’s storage needs careful planning. Android’s SharedPreferences gives you easy access to Xamarin-stored data. iOS users can employ UserDefaults since Xamarin keeps preferences in NSUserDefaults.
6. Plugin Selection and Native Integration
Choose your plugins from pub.dev carefully to avoid future maintenance headaches. Flutter’s platform channels let you call native functions and listen to native events for platform-specific features.
Most projects take 4-6 months to migrate, based on their complexity. Good planning and execution will help you build a more maintainable and faster application.
Post-Migration: What Changes and What Improves
Your Xamarin to Flutter migration brings substantial improvements to your application. These changes go beyond technical aspects and represent a fundamental change that impacts your product and team dynamics.
You’ll notice better visual quality and user interface right away. Developers say their Flutter apps look better than their Xamarin.Forms creations. Flutter’s widget-based architecture has changed UI development by promoting small, reusable, and immutable components.
The performance boost becomes clear after migration. Flutter’s “hot reload” feature changes how developers work by letting them see changes without restarting the app. Many consider this the best version of this feature available today.
Technical improvements after migration show three main benefits:
- Smaller app size with better performance
- Simplified state management that makes transitions between stateless and stateful widgets easier
- Consistent look and feel on all platforms strengthens brand identity
- Migration impacts teams too. Initial doubts fade as developers appreciate Flutter’s modern tools and ease of use.
- Businesses see better user engagement, retention, and ROI, with lower maintenance costs offsetting the initial investment.
- Developers often become Flutter advocates, enjoying the chance to create polished, cross-platform apps.
- Migration is more than an upgrade. It’s an opportunity to refine your product, align with user needs, and stay ahead of tech trends.
Why Choose C-metric to Migrate From Xamarin to Flutter?
Picking the right development partner plays a vital role in migrating from Xamarin to Flutter. Flutter’s ecosystem grows more popular since Xamarin’s end-of-support announcement. Expert professionals can make a significant difference in guiding your transition.
C-metric understands the complex nature of cross-platform migrations. Our Flutter consultants will assess your business idea and create a custom strategy that fits your application’s needs. This personal touch helps your migration experience run smoothly without complications.
C-metric stands out in Xamarin to Flutter migration by delivering projects 2X faster while saving up to 40% on costs. This speed advantage can help you surge ahead of competitors in the ever-changing business world.
We offer these key benefits:
- Project onboarding within 48 hours to reduce delays
- Development aligned with your time-zone for better cooperation
- Strong privacy protection through detailed NDAs
- Expert talent matching based on your needs
- We go beyond migration, leveraging Flutter’s capabilities to align your app with modern trends and deliver top-tier user experiences.
- Our agile approach ensures quick adaptation, clear communication, and fast issue resolution for successful outcomes.
- We protect your IP with strict NDAs, ensuring complete security throughout the process.
- Partnering with C-metric means expert-led migration and peace of mind during this critical transition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Xamarin ending its support creates more than just a technical need to switch; it opens doors to grow. Moving to Flutter can improve performance, cut maintenance costs, and make users happier. Teams spend 4 to 6 months on the migration, and many notice better app quality along with easier development work. Flutter’s tools, including Hot Reload and its widget system, give great outcomes. C-metric’s skilled mobile app development team helps make the migration simple and low-risk so your app stays ready for the future while increasing your returns in a tough market.
Get in Touch