Running Background Scheduled Tasks in Windows for Daily Notifications in Flutter Apps

Are you tired of manually reminding your users about important events or updates in your Flutter application? Do you want to take your app’s user experience to the next level by sending daily notifications? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore the possibilities of running background scheduled tasks in Windows to send daily notifications from your Flutter app.

Why Background Scheduled Tasks?

Scheduling tasks to run in the background allows your app to perform actions without interrupting the user’s workflow. In the context of daily notifications, this means your app can silently check for updates or events and send notifications to the user without requiring them to open the app. This approach enhances the overall user experience and encourages engagement.

Windows Task Scheduler: The Ultimate Solution

Windows provides a built-in tool called the Task Scheduler, which enables you to create and manage scheduled tasks. With the Task Scheduler, you can create a task that runs a script or executable at a specified time or interval, making it perfect for sending daily notifications.

Creating a New Task in Task Scheduler

To create a new task in Task Scheduler, follow these steps:

1. Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. In the Task Scheduler, click on “Create Basic Task” in the right-hand Actions panel.
3. Give your task a name and description, then click “Next.”
4. Set the trigger type to “Daily” and specify the start time and frequency. Click “Next.”
5. Under “Actions,” click “New” and select “Start a program.”
6. In the “Program/script” field, enter the path to your executable or script file.
7. Click “OK” to save the task.

Creating an Executable File for Your Flutter App

To run your Flutter app’s code in the background, you’ll need to create an executable file. You can do this using the `flutter build windows` command, which generates a standalone executable file.

flutter build windows --release

This command builds a release version of your app, which you can then use in the Task Scheduler.

Writing a Script to Send Notifications

Now that you have an executable file, you’ll need to write a script that sends daily notifications. You can use a programming language like Dart or a scripting language like PowerShell to create a script.

// sample Dart script
import 'dart:io';
import 'package:path/path.dart';
import 'package:win32/win32.dart';

void main() {
  // Initialize the notification system
  final notification = Notification();

  // Set the notification title and message
  notification.title = 'Daily Reminder';
  notification.message = 'Don\'t forget to check your app for updates!';

  // Show the notification
  notification.show();
}

class Notification {
  String title;
  String message;

  void show() {
    // Use the Win32 API to show a notification
    final notification = CoCreateInstance(
      CLSID_MMDeviceEnumerator,
      IID_IMMDeviceEnumerator,
      riid,
    );
    notification.ShowBalloonTip(
      title,
      message,
      10, // timeout in seconds
    );
  }
}

This script uses the `win32` package to interact with the Windows API and display a notification. You can modify the script to fit your needs and integrate it with your Flutter app’s code.

Scheduling the Script to Run Daily

Now that you have the script, you need to schedule it to run daily using the Task Scheduler. Create a new task and set the trigger type to “Daily” with a start time of your choice. Under “Actions,” add a new action to start the script file.

Task Scheduler Settings	Value
Task Name	Daily Notification
Trigger Type	Daily
Start Time	08:00 AM
Action Type	Start a program
Program/script

Flutter App Side: Preparing for Background Tasks

While the Task Scheduler handles the scheduling, your Flutter app needs to be prepared to receive and handle background tasks. You’ll need to add some configuration to your app’s `windows` folder.

Configuring the Windows Project

In your Flutter project, navigate to the `windows` folder and open the `windows.yaml` file. Add the following configuration:

targets:
  Windows:
    project_name: my_app
    build_mode: release
    background_modes:
      - notification

This configuration enables background task support for your Flutter app on Windows.

Handling Background Tasks in Flutter

In your Flutter app, you’ll need to handle the background task by creating a separate isolate that runs when the app is not in the foreground.

import 'dart:isolate';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() async {
  await WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  // Create a separate isolate for background tasks
  await Isolate.spawn(backgroundTask, null);
  runApp(MyApp());
}

void backgroundTask() async {
  // Handle background tasks here
  await handleNotification();
}

Future handleNotification() async {
  // Show a notification when the app is not in the foreground
  await Notification.show();
}

This code creates a separate isolate that runs when the app is not in the foreground and handles background tasks, including showing notifications.

Conclusion

Running background scheduled tasks in Windows is a powerful way to send daily notifications from your Flutter app. By leveraging the Task Scheduler and creating an executable file for your app, you can silently check for updates or events and send notifications to your users. With these instructions, you’re now equipped to take your app’s user experience to the next level.

Remember to optimize your app’s performance and battery life when using background tasks, and ensure that you comply with Windows’ guidelines for background tasks.

Additional Resources

• Task Scheduler Documentation
• Flutter Widget Documentation
• Win32 Package Documentation

By following this guide, you’ll be able to send daily notifications from your Flutter app on Windows, enhancing the user experience and encouraging engagement.

Frequently Asked Question

Want to know the secret to running a background scheduled task in Windows to show daily notifications from your Flutter application? Look no further!