How to Fix the Flutter Error ‘This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered’


When developing Flutter applications, it’s common to encounter errors related to SDK version compatibility. One of these common errors is the SDK XML version 4 error:This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered.” This error usually occurs when the AndroidManifest.xml file of your project uses an Android SDK version that is incompatible with the current version of Flutter or associated tools, such as the Android SDK.
In this article titled “Fixing the SDK XML Version 4 Error in Flutter,” we will show you how to quickly resolve this issue by simply updating the Flutter SDK tool as well as the Android Studio application.

List of Solutions:

  1. Solution 1: Update the Android SDK tool
  2. Solution 2: Update Flutter

Solution 1: Update Flutter Step 1: Open the Terminal

  1. Windows:
    • Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
    • Type cmd to open the command prompt.
wwindow-touch-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  • macOS / Linux:
  1. Open the terminal by searching for it directly in your applications.

Step 2: Check the Current Version of Flutter

  1. Type the following command to check the version of Flutter installed on your machine:
solution-1-image-1-2 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  • If your version of Flutter is outdated, proceed to the next step to update it.

Step 3: Update Flutter

  1. Start the update:
    • Type the following command in your terminal to initiate the update:
solution-1-image-2-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  • Wait for the process to complete:
  1. Flutter will download the latest stable version and perform the update. Wait for the process to finish before proceeding.

Step 4: Final Verification

  1. After the update, check the installed version again to ensure you are using the latest one:
solution-1-image-1-3 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'

Solution 2: Procedure to Update Android Studio

Keeping your development environment up to date is essential to benefit from the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Here’s a detailed guide to help you update Android Studio and verify that the new version is installed correctly.

Step 1: Open Android Studio

Before you begin, ensure that you have a stable internet connection, as updating Android Studio may require downloading large files.

Launch Android Studio:

  • To start, click on the application icon if Android Studio is already installed on your machine.
  • If you haven’t installed it yet, visit the official website to download the software.
  • Then, follow the installation steps to obtain the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Once Android Studio is opened, you will find yourself on the main welcome screen.

Step 2: Check for Updates and Install

This step is crucial to keep your development environment up to date, as it allows you to access new features and security fixes.

Access the Welcome Screen:

  • After opening Android Studio, you will see the welcome screen.
  • In the lower left corner, you will find a gear-shaped icon to access the settings.
solution-2-image-2-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  1. Check for Updates:
    • Select the “Check for Updates” option. Android Studio will then search for the latest updates available for the software and plugins.
solution-2-image-3-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  1. Install the Update:
    • In the event that an update is available, a window titled “Android Studio and Plugin Updates” will appear.
    • Click on “Update Now” to initiate the update process.
    • Android Studio will download and install the new versions of the tools.
solution-2-image-6-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  1. Once the download is complete, a confirmation window will inform you that the installation is finished. Click “Done” to finalize the process.
solution-2-image-7-2 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'

Step 3: Check the Installed Version

After the update, it’s important to verify that the new version is correctly installed to ensure you have the latest features and fixes.

  1. Return to the Home Screen:
    • Once the update is complete and Android Studio has restarted, the home screen will reappear.
  2. Access the Android Studio Version:
    • Click again on the settings icon (at the bottom left).
    • Select “About” from the settings menu.
solution-2-image-4-1 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'
  1. In this section, you will see information about the currently installed version of Android Studio after the update. This allows you to confirm that the update has been successfully completed.
solution-2-image-8 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'

Step 4: Open and Run Your Project

Now that your Android Studio is up to date, it’s time to return to your usual work.

  1. Open your Flutter project:
    • Open your Flutter project or any other project you are working on.
    • You can run your project to ensure that everything is working correctly with the new version of Android Studio.
solution-2-image-9-1-1024x225 How to Fix the Flutter Error 'This version only understands SDK XML versions up to 3 but an SDK XML file of version 4 was encountered'

Explanations

Regularly updating Android Studio allows you to benefit from the latest advancements in Android application development. Each update brings significant improvements, which may include:

  • Bug fixes to enhance stability and security.
  • New features to simplify development.
  • Performance optimizations for a better coding experience.

The SDK XML version 4 error in Flutter generally occurs when your Android SDK version is not up to date, or when there are incompatibilities between the configuration files of your Flutter project and the versions of the SDK being used. To avoid this error and ensure everything functions correctly, it is essential to keep your development environment up to date.

Checking the installed version after each update is crucial to ensure that you are working with the most recent version. This also guarantees that your development environment complies with the latest compatibility requirements with modern tools and libraries, which is particularly important for Flutter or Android projects.

By following this procedure, you ensure that your development environment remains up to date and meets technical requirements, thereby minimizing the risks of errors such as the SDK XML version 4 error in Flutter.

How to resolve the error “VmWare Workstation can be run after disabling Device / credential Guard”?

Windows cannot be installed on this disk: the hardware of this computer might not support booting from this disk

Share this content:

Passionné par les nouvelles technologies, je mets un point d'honneur à simplifier la complexité du monde numérique. À travers des conseils pratiques et des informations à jour, je vous aide à naviguer dans l'univers technologique avec aisance. Mon objectif est d'apporter des solutions à vos problèmes informatiques et numériques, tout en partageant des astuces qui rendront votre quotidien plus simple. Que vous soyez un novice curieux ou un utilisateur averti, mes articles sont là pour vous guider, vous inspirer, et résoudre les défis que vous pourriez rencontrer. Plongez avec moi dans l'univers fascinant de la technologie et restez en phase avec les dernières innovations grâce à mes contributions.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Rating

3 + nine =

Vous avez certainement manqué...