Flutter command to delete packages in .pub-cache folder

Question

How to delete the flutter packages in .pub-cache folder? When we give flutter clean, it will delete the build folder in the current directory. We can delete it manually, but my requirement is to delete the packages in .pub-cache folder using the command.

Solution 1

If a dependency is removed from the pubspec and then pub get is run, it removes the dependency from the .packages file, making the dependency unavailable for importing.

If a packages in your pub cache to change or break, you can use flutter pub cache repair command performs a clean reinstall of all hosted and git packages in the system cache.

Solution 2

To clear the global PUB_CACHE, run:

dart pub cache clean

or

flutter pub cache clean

Solution 3

Short answer

Delete the pubspec.lock file then run the command flutter pub get again.

Long Story

• the command flutter pub get will regenerate the pubspec.lock.
• In case your code isn't tracked by a source code version control like git, make sure to take a backup copy from your pubspec.lock file before deleting it especially if the project is a bit old and you are using caret constraint for package depencedy and not using concrete versions in pubspec.ymal
• if the project didn't compile after applying the answer it could be caret constraint issue so you have to update your project to match the new library version or use concrete versions in pubspec.ymal for example

dependencies:
  path: 1.3.0

Solution 4

Just go to the terminal and type the command

flutter pub remove package_name 

as like

flutter pub remove flutter_riverpod

Solution 5

It took me more than 3 days to try all differently way. But finally I found, you need to go into the "pubspec.lock" file. Then go to the library and change the version there. Then go back to the file "pubspec.yaml" and run Packages get and it succeeds.

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Comments

[Mohammed Noureldin]

This file should be pushed to the source control, how should removing it be a good solution?

[Shady Mohamed Sherif]

The command flutter pub get will regenerate that file again, don't worry

[Mohammed Noureldin]

Then what is the purpose of checking this file to the source control? Something does not make sense in that.

[Shady Mohamed Sherif]

Keeping pubspec.lock in source control is optional but; It would be helpful if the project is a bit old and you are using caret constraint for package depencedy and not using concrete versions in pubspec.ymal which would cause other developers to get newer versions in the pubspec.lock which may cause compilation issues.

[Mohammed Noureldin]

Aah ok, that makes sense now, thanks Shady! But nevertheless, I may end up getting a newer version if I use the caret, which will encourage me to not remove this file :D

[Shady Mohamed Sherif]

You are welcome, Yes you are right; that's why you may need to keep a backup from your original pubspec.lock before you delete it if it isn't tracked by a source code version control :D I will add it as a note in the answer.

[masaya]

This command was added in Dart 2.14.0 github.com/dart-lang/sdk/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md

[Thong M Truong]

flutter pub cache clean also works

[CopsOnRoad]

@ThongMTruong Yeah, most Dart commands work with Flutter tools also.

[kokemomuke]

this answer should be marked as correct!