How to create a custom chat widget for your FlutterFlow app?

Introduction

Creating a custom chat widget for your FlutterFlow app involves making use of Firebase for authentication and storage as well as FlutterFlow's UI Builder.

This tutorial will guide you through the process, ensuring that you understand each step involved in creating and implementing this feature.

Before we get started, make sure you have:

• Basic knowledge of FlutterFlow UI Builder and Firebase
• An existing FlutterFlow app
• A Firebase account

Let's get started.

Step 1: Setting up Firebase

Open the Firebase console and create a new project.

This will be linked to your FlutterFlow app. Follow the prompts, ensuring each step is correctly completed before you proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Enable Firebase Authentication

Once your project is created, you can enable Firebase Authentication.

Go to your project settings, find "Sign-in method" and enable "Email/Password" as your desired sign-in method. Make sure to hit "Save".

This allows users to create account and authenticate themselves for your chat service.

Step 3: Set up Firestore Database

Navigate to the Firestore Database section within your Firebase Console and create a new database.

Choose to start in production mode, and then set the desired location for your cloud Firestore project.

Firestore Database will be used to store chat messages and related information.

Step 4: Create a Firestore Collection for Messages

Create a new collection in your Firestore database. It is recommended to name this collection "messages".

Each document in this collection will correspond to a chat message.

At a minimum, your messages should have the following fields:

• text (string): The content of the message itself.
• sender (string): The UID of the user who sent the message.
• timestamp (timestamp): The time when the message was sent.

Step 5: Link Firestore to FlutterFlow

Return to FlutterFlow and select your application, then go to the backend tab and "Add Backend".

Under Firebase, choose "Add Firebase Project", then follow the prompts to add your new Firebase project.

Step 6: Create FlutterFlow State

From the FlutterFlow interface, navigate to the States tab.

Create a state for chat messages. The state should mimic the structure of the Firestore message documents.

Step 7: Create the Chat Widget

Start by dragging a "List" widget to your screen.

This widget will be used to display all chat messages. Enable Firestore integration for this widget and choose your "messages" collection.

Then, define the layout of individual items (chat messages) using text widgets and other desired elements, and link each element to the correct state field.

Step 8: Implementing the Send Message Functionality

Add a text field to your screen – this is where users will write their messages.

Next, add a Button widget next to it. In the onclick action for this button, choose "Add Document to Firestore". Enter "messages" as the collection name and map the required fields to capture the user content and other necessary details.

Step 9: Test the Chat Widget

Finally, test the chat feature by running your FlutterFlow app on your emulator or device. Log in two separate users (using an authentication in-place), and try sending messages back and forth.

Remember to debug and fix any issues that may crop up.

And there you have it! You have successfully created a custom chat widget for your FlutterFlow app!

Please remember that this is a basic chat widget. Depending on your app requirements, other features like user presence, media messaging, and group chats may need to be implemented.