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Avoid Memory Leaks with GetX
RulTech > Blogs > Flutter > Avoid Memory Leaks with GetX
memory leak, flutter, getx

Avoid Memory Leaks with GetX

A memory leaks happens when objects that are no longer needed are not garbage collected because references to them still exist Eventually, this can lead to sluggish performance or even app crashes due to out-of-memory errors.

Common Causes of Memory Leaks in Flutter:

  1. Unreleased Listeners/Controllers

    • Forgetting to call .dispose() on AnimationController, TextEditingController, StreamController, or ScrollController.

  2. Active Streams Not Closed

    • Streams that are not properly cancelled continue to use memory.

  3. Widgets Holding on to State

    • Stateful widgets not releasing resources or keeping references to widgets no longer in the widget tree.

  4. Retaining Large Objects

    • Keeping large image files, lists, or maps in memory when they are no longer needed.

  5. Static Variables

    • Misuse of static variables that hold references to UI elements or data that should be cleared.

Getx – Specific Tips to Avoid Memory Leaks :
1. Dispose Your Controllers Manually (When Not Using Bindings)

If you create controllers manually, YOU are responsible for disposing of them.

🚫 Problem:
final MyController controller = Get.put(MyController());
✅ Fix:
@override
void dispose() {
  Get.delete<MyController>();
  super.dispose();
}
2. Use GetBuilder or GetX with Get.put() wisely

Use Get.put() only when the controller should persist across screens, like a global auth or theme controller.

If it’s screen-specific, consider using:

Get.put(MyController(), tag: 'screen1');

And remove it when done:

Get.delete<MyController>(tag: 'screen1');
3. Use Bindings for Automatic Lifecycle Management

Let GetX manage the controller’s lifecycle by using Bindings.

class MyBinding extends Bindings {
  @override
  void dependencies() {
    Get.lazyPut<MyController>(() => MyController());
  }
}

Then in your route:

GetPage(
  name: '/myScreen',
  page: () => MyScreen(),
  binding: MyBinding(),
)

GetX will auto-delete the controller when the screen is removed.

4. Don’t Use obs on Large Objects Unnecessarily

Using .obs on large maps or lists can lead to memory bloating.

Bad:
var myBigList = List.generate(100000, (i) => i).obs;
Better:

Only observe what’s necessary:

var currentPage = 0.obs;
5. Avoid Retaining Context

Don’t store BuildContext in your GetX controllers—it leads to memory leaks because it keeps the widget tree alive.

Bad:
class MyController extends GetxController {
  late BuildContext context;
}
Good:

Use navigation via Get.to()and dialog/snackbar functions without context.

6. Watch for Infinite Stream Subscriptions

If you’re using .stream or ever(), cancel them manually in onClose() if they don’t cancel themselves.

late Worker _worker;
@override
void onInit() {
  _worker = ever(myVar, (_) => print('Changed'));
  super.onInit();
}

@override
void onClose() {
  _worker.dispose(); // Prevents leak
  super.onClose();
}

In Conclusion

Memory leaks in Flutter, especially when using powerful state management solutions like GetX, can silently degrade your app’s performance and user experience. By following best practices—such as properly disposing of controllers, leveraging GetX Bindings, and avoiding unnecessary observers—you can build efficient, leak-free applications. Always monitor your app’s memory usage during development using Flutter DevTools and keep lifecycle management in mind to ensure a smooth and scalable codebase.