how to Install and Run a Flutter Project on macOS Sequoia (iOS Only, IntelliJ Edition)

obsessively detailed guide for ocd devs who just want it to work

⚙️ Prerequisites

• macOS Sequoia (macOS 15)
• Xcode (latest, installed via App Store)
• Homebrew (latest)
• IntelliJ IDEA (not VS Code)

no android. no vscode. just flutter + ios + intellij.

🧱 Step 1: Install Flutter via Homebrew

brew install --cask flutter

confirm install:

flutter --version

if you see version output, you’re golden. if not, see next step.

🧭 Step 2: Verify PATH

if this works:

which flutter

and returns:

/opt/homebrew/bin/flutter

✅ you’re done. don’t touch your .zshrc.

❌ if it returns nothing, add this to ~/.zshrc:

export PATH="$PATH:/opt/homebrew/share/flutter/bin"

then:

source ~/.zshrc

📱 Step 3: Set Up Xcode for iOS Development

sudo xcodebuild -license accept
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
sudo xcodebuild -runFirstLaunch
sudo DevToolsSecurity -enable

• open Xcode at least once to trigger final setups
• trust Xcode in System Settings > Privacy > Developer Tools if prompted

🧬 Step 4: Install CocoaPods

preferred way on Apple Silicon:

brew install cocoapods

verify:

pod --version

DON’T use sudo gem install cocoapods unless you want to fight ffi and lose.

🩺 Step 5: Run flutter doctor

flutter doctor

you want:

[✓] Flutter
[✓] Xcode
[✓] IntelliJ IDEA
[✓] CocoaPods

ignore android/web warnings.

🧩 Step 6: IntelliJ Plugin Setup

• open IntelliJ
• go to Preferences > Plugins
• install Flutter plugin (it will prompt to install Dart, say yes)
• restart IDE

🚀 Step 7: Create Your Flutter Project

• File > New > Project > Flutter
• confirm flutter sdk path (e.g., /opt/homebrew/share/flutter)
• use Swift for iOS language
• finish wizard

📳 Step 8: Run on iOS Simulator

open -a Simulator

in IntelliJ:

• pick simulator from device dropdown
• click ▶️ Run
• wait for first build (may take a min)
• use 🔁 Hot Reload once running

🔌 Step 9: (Optional) Run on Physical iOS Device

• plug in device
• enable Developer Mode on device (Settings > Privacy & Security > Developer Mode)
• open ios/Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode
• go to Signing & Capabilities
• select your Apple ID as Team
• run via IntelliJ (select device from dropdown)

✅ You’re Done

• flutter doctor is clean
• app runs on simulator or device
• hot reload works

things you didn’t need:

• android sdk
• vs code
• ruby gems
• any brain damage

go forth and ship

🧠 Bonus: Troubleshooting Cheatsheet

published with love (and hatred for surprises) by someone who’s Done With Broken Toolchains.