The `describeEnum` method has been removed from the framework because it's redundant with the `name` getter on `Enum` which was introduced in `Dart 2.14`.
Original behavior
Historically, Flutter used `describeEnum` to return a `String` description of an enum value. This became redundant when the `name` getter of `Enum` was introduced in `Dart 2.14`.
New behavior
Not stated in the source.
- Who is affected
- Any code still referencing the removed API will fail to compile after upgrading. Code that uses Enum, String.
- Practical impact
- Compile errors until migrated; must be addressed before upgrading.
- What action should I take?
- Follow the official migration guide below, update affected call sites, run `dart fix --apply` where a fix is available, then run your tests.
Official migration guide (excerpt, © The Flutter Authors, CC BY 3.0)
If your code previously used the describeEnum method to get the value name of an enum member,
migrate your code to use the name getter on the instance itself.
enum Theme { light, dark }
- final theme = describeEnum(Theme.light);
+ Theme.light.name;Landed in version: TBD In stable release: TBD
AI_PROVIDER (for example to openai-compatible with a local Ollama or LM Studio endpoint) to enable grounded explanations. Everything else on this page works without an AI provider.Listed in the official breaking-changes index; title states removal.
An official announcement or migration guide documents an intended behaviour or API change. A verified source change (git diff) shows code changed but does not by itself prove a public API is breaking. AI interpretations are labelled and never used to classify a change.
- Source commit
- b3045439b7c0
- Source last updated
- Oct 21, 2026
- Last synchronized
- Oct 21, 2026
- Publication status
- published
Publication history
- Oct 21, 2026, 8:31 PM: new → published (ingestion) — Backed by an official breaking-change/migration guide.
AI_PROVIDER (for example to openai-compatible with a local Ollama or LM Studio endpoint) to enable grounded explanations. Everything else on this page works without an AI provider.