Make PlatformFile into File in Flutter using File Picker

Issue

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;
    }
  }

Solution

Try this:

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

Happy coding! 🙂

Answered By – Max Mit

Answer Checked By – Senaida (FlutterFixes Volunteer)