core_haptics #

🎮 Bring Apple's Core Haptics to Flutter — rich, custom haptic feedback for iOS & macOS.

A type-safe, FFI-based Flutter plugin that gives you full access to Apple's Core Haptics framework. Create custom vibration patterns, play AHAP files, and deliver tactile experiences that feel native.

✨ What's inside #

• 🎯 Complete Core Haptics wrapper — engines, patterns, players, and dynamic parameters
• 📄 AHAP everywhere — load from JSON strings, files, or Flutter assets
• 🎨 Programmatic patterns — build haptic sequences with HapticEvent (no JSON needed!)
• 🛡️ Memory-safe FFI — automatic cleanup with finalizers, strongly-typed enums
• 🎛️ Live parameter control — adjust intensity and sharpness during playback
• 🔄 Interruption handling — callbacks for audio session changes and resets
• 🚫 Zero CocoaPods — Swift Package Manager only, clean and modern

📦 Installation #

Add to your pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  core_haptics: ^0.1.0

Then run:

flutter pub get

🔧 Platform Setup #

iOS / macOS (Swift Package Manager) #

Since this plugin uses SwiftPM instead of CocoaPods, you need to manually link the native module:

Step 1: Open your app in Xcode
example/ios/Runner.xcworkspace (or macos/Runner.xcworkspace)

Step 2: Add the local Swift Package

• File → Add Package Dependencies
• Click "Add Local..." and navigate to the plugin's ios/ folder
• Select Package.swift and add it

Step 3: Link to your target

• In your app target's Frameworks and Libraries, add CoreHapticsFFI
• Set to Embed & Sign (iOS) or Do Not Embed (macOS)

Requirements:

• iOS 13.0+ or macOS 11.0+
• Physical device with haptic engine (iPhone 8+ or supported Mac)

🚀 Quick Start #

Basic haptic tap #

import 'package:core_haptics/core_haptics.dart';

Future<void> playSimpleTap() async {
  // Create and start the engine
  final engine = await HapticEngine.create();
  await engine.start();

  // Load an AHAP pattern (JSON string)
  final pattern = await engine.loadPatternFromAhap('''
  {
    "Version": 1,
    "Pattern": [{
      "Event": {
        "EventType": "HapticTransient",
        "Time": 0,
        "EventParameters": [
          {"ParameterID": "HapticIntensity", "ParameterValue": 0.8},
          {"ParameterID": "HapticSharpness", "ParameterValue": 0.5}
        ]
      }
    }]
  }
  ''');

  // Play it
  final player = await engine.createPlayer(pattern);
  await player.play();
  
  // Cleanup
  await player.dispose();
  await pattern.dispose();
  await engine.dispose();
}

Programmatic patterns (no JSON!) #

final pattern = await engine.loadPatternFromEvents([
  // Sharp tap at start
  const HapticEvent(
    type: HapticEventType.transient,
    time: Duration.zero,
    intensity: 1.0,
    sharpness: 0.8,
  ),
  // Continuous rumble after 300ms
  const HapticEvent(
    type: HapticEventType.continuous,
    time: Duration(milliseconds: 300),
    duration: Duration(seconds: 2),
    intensity: 0.6,
    sharpness: 0.3,
  ),
]);

Load from Flutter assets #

// 1. Add AHAP file to pubspec.yaml assets
// 2. Load it:
final pattern = await engine.loadPatternFromAsset('assets/haptics/my_pattern.ahap');

Handle interruptions #

final engine = await HapticEngine.create(
  onEvent: (event, message) {
    switch (event) {
      case HapticEngineEvent.interrupted:
        print('⚠️ Haptics interrupted: $message');
        break;
      case HapticEngineEvent.restarted:
        print('✅ Haptics resumed');
        break;
      // ...
    }
  },
);

🎯 API Reference #

HapticEngine #

Your main entry point. Manages the Core Haptics engine lifecycle.

// Create
final engine = await HapticEngine.create(onEvent: callback);

// Start/stop
await engine.start();
await engine.stop();

// Load patterns
final p1 = await engine.loadPatternFromAhap(jsonString);
final p2 = await engine.loadPatternFromFile(path);
final p3 = await engine.loadPatternFromAsset('assets/pattern.ahap');
final p4 = await engine.loadPatternFromEvents(eventList);

// Create players
final player = await engine.createPlayer(pattern);

// Cleanup
await engine.dispose();

HapticPlayer #

Controls playback of a haptic pattern.

await player.play(atTime: 0);
await player.stop(atTime: 0);

// Looping (not available on all platforms)
await player.setLoop(enabled: true, loopStart: 0, loopEnd: 2.0);

// Dynamic parameter updates (during playback)
await player.setParameter(HapticParameterId.hapticIntensity, 0.9, atTime: 0);

await player.dispose();

HapticEvent #

Programmatically define haptic events.

const HapticEvent({
  required HapticEventType type,      // transient or continuous
  Duration time = Duration.zero,      // when to fire (relative to pattern start)
  Duration? duration,                 // required for continuous events
  double? intensity,                  // 0.0 to 1.0
  double? sharpness,                  // 0.0 to 1.0
});

Error Handling #

All errors throw HapticsException:

try {
  await engine.start();
} on HapticsException catch (e) {
  print('Error: ${e.code} - ${e.message}');
  // e.code is a HapticsErrorCode enum
}

Error codes:

🧪 Testing #

Dart unit tests:

flutter test

Uses mocked FFI bridge for ~90% API coverage.

Swift native tests:

cd ios && swift test

Tests the Core Haptics bridge (skips on devices without haptics).

🐛 Troubleshooting #

"Cannot find symbol 'chffi_engine_create'" #

The SwiftPM package isn't linked. Go back to Platform Setup and ensure CoreHapticsFFI is added to your app target's frameworks.

"Device does not support haptics" #

Core Haptics requires an iPhone 8+ or newer Mac with Taptic Engine. Simulators don't support haptics.

"HapticsException: runtime (-4820)" #

Tried to send a parameter update to a player that isn't actively playing. Ensure the pattern is playing before calling setParameter.

📚 Learn More #

• Apple Core Haptics Documentation
• AHAP File Format
• Core Haptics WWDC Sessions

📄 License #

See LICENSE for details.

🙌 Contributing #

Issues and PRs welcome! This plugin maintains a 1:1 mapping with Core Haptics APIs, so contributions should align with Apple's framework design.