How to change minsdkversion in flutter ?

In Flutter, the minSdkVersion represents the minimum Android API level that your application supports. It determines the earliest version of Android on which your app can be installed and run. By default, Flutter sets the minSdkVersion to 16, which corresponds to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). However, you can change this value depending on the requirements of your app or to support a wider range of devices.

To change the minSdkVersion in your Flutter project, follow these steps:

1. Open your Flutter project in an editor or IDE (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Android Studio).
2. Navigate to the android/app directory within your Flutter project. Here, you'll find the build.gradle file.
3. Open the build.gradle file in your preferred editor.
4. Locate the defaultConfig block in the build.gradle file. It should look something like this:

    android {
        compileSdkVersion 30
    
        defaultConfig {
            // Other configuration options...
            minSdkVersion 16 // This is the default value
            // Other configuration options...
        }
    
        // Other configuration options...
    }                                
                            

5. Within the defaultConfig block, you'll find the minSdkVersion property. Update the value to the desired API level. For example, if you want to set it to API level 21 (Android 5.0 - Lollipop), you would change it to:

    minSdkVersion 21
                            

6. Save the build.gradle file.

Now, why would you want to alter the minSdkVersion? Here are a few reasons:

1. Compatibility: By setting a higher minSdkVersion, you can ensure that your app only runs on devices with a certain minimum Android version. This allows you to take advantage of newer features, APIs, and optimizations provided by the later Android versions.
2. Target audience: If your app has specific requirements or targets a specific audience, you may need to set a higher minSdkVersion to exclude older devices that don't meet those requirements. For example, if your app heavily relies on features introduced in Android 8.0 (API level 26), you would set the minSdkVersion to 26 to prevent installation on devices running older Android versions.
3. Reducing development complexity: Supporting older Android versions often requires additional effort and testing. By raising the minSdkVersion, you can focus your development and testing efforts on a narrower range of devices, potentially reducing complexity and speeding up development.

Remember that changing the minSdkVersion should be done with careful consideration, as it affects the number of devices your app can run on. It's important to strike a balance between compatibility and taking advantage of new features, depending on your app's target audience and requirements.