What is the use of FocusManager ?

Overview

FocusManager

Most Common Use — Dismiss Keyboard

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// Dismiss keyboard when tapping outside a text field
GestureDetector(
  onTap: () {
    FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus?.unfocus();
    // or:
    FocusScope.of(context).unfocus();
  },
  child: Scaffold(
    body: TextField(),
  ),
)

FocusManager Methods

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// Get the currently focused node
final current = FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus;
print(current); // FocusNode or null

// Unfocus the current focus (hides keyboard)
FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus?.unfocus();

// Check if any node is focused
bool hasFocus = FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus != null;

FocusNode — Control Individual Field Focus

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class LoginScreen extends StatefulWidget {
  @override
  _LoginScreenState createState() => _LoginScreenState();
}

class _LoginScreenState extends State<LoginScreen> {
  final _emailFocus = FocusNode();
  final _passwordFocus = FocusNode();

  @override
  void dispose() {
    _emailFocus.dispose();
    _passwordFocus.dispose();
    super.dispose();
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Column(
      children: [
        TextField(
          focusNode: _emailFocus,
          textInputAction: TextInputAction.next,
          onSubmitted: (_) {
            // Move focus to password field on "Next"
            FocusScope.of(context).requestFocus(_passwordFocus);
          },
        ),
        TextField(
          focusNode: _passwordFocus,
          textInputAction: TextInputAction.done,
          onSubmitted: (_) {
            FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus?.unfocus(); // Hide keyboard
            _login();
          },
        ),
      ],
    );
  }
}

Auto-dismiss Keyboard on Scroll

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NotificationListener<ScrollNotification>(
  onNotification: (_) {
    FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus?.unfocus();
    return false;
  },
  child: ListView(...),
)

FocusManager vs FocusScope vs FocusNode

FocusManager

FocusScope

FocusNode

FocusTraversalPolicy

Practical Use Cases

FocusManager.instance.primaryFocus?.unfocus()

FocusScope.of(context).requestFocus(nextNode)

focusNode.requestFocus()

focusNode.addListener(() { ... })

Tip: Always

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dispose()

your

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FocusNode

instances to prevent memory leaks. Pair

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FocusManager

with

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GestureDetector

wrapping your Scaffold to dismiss the keyboard when tapping empty areas.