Ionic 3 Native Plugin Social Sharing Error: Plugin not installed - ionic-framework

Question

I’m using an Ionic 3 app, trying to get social sharing working.
I followed the steps to install the Ionic Native Social Sharing plugin from: https://ionicframework.com/docs/v3/native/social-sharing/
Ran:
$ ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing
$ npm install --save #ionic-native/social-sharing#4
Imported the plugin (version 4.x.x) via my app module and added SocialSharing to the providers array.
Imported the plugin via my app.component using:
import { SocialSharing } from '#ionic-native/social-sharing';
Added to the constructor:
private socialSharing: SocialSharing
This share function, also in app.component is triggered via a button in the html (side menu):
async share() {
try {
// Pop the native social sharing sheet, allowing the user to choose how to share the app.
await this.socialSharing.share(this.shareMessage, this.shareSubject, this.shareFile, this.getShareUrl());
this.toast.show('Thanks for sharing!', 3000);
}
catch(err) {
console.error(err);
alert(err);
}
}
I’m using platforms: ios, android and browser.
When I call the method from a build on a real device I get the error:
"Plugin is not installed"
Tried:
Checking logs for installation errors. None seen.
Reinstalled plugin.
Checked plugin present using $ionic cordova plugin list. cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing 5.4.7 “SocialSharing” is present.
Removed and added all platforms again.
Wrapped the share method inside a platform.ready().
Nothing seems to be working. I cannot get the app to recognise the plugin is installed!
PLEASE HELP! :slight_smile: What can I try next?
Thanks
$ionic info:
Ionic:
Ionic CLI : 5.2.3 (/usr/local/lib/node_modules/ionic)
Ionic Framework : ionic-angular 3.9.5
#ionic/app-scripts : 3.2.2
Cordova:
Cordova CLI : 9.0.0 (cordova-lib#9.0.1)
Cordova Platforms : android 8.0.0, browser 6.0.0, ios 5.0.1
Cordova Plugins : cordova-plugin-ionic 5.4.0, cordova-plugin-ionic-keyboard 2.1.3, cordova-plugin-ionic-webview 2.5.1, (and 13 other plugins)
Utility:
cordova-res : 0.4.0 (update available: 0.6.0)
native-run : not installed
System:
ios-deploy : 1.9.4
ios-sim : 8.0.2
NodeJS : v11.2.0 (/usr/local/Cellar/node/11.2.0/bin/node)
npm : 6.9.2
OS : macOS Mojave
Xcode : Xcode 10.2 Build version 10E125

Answer 1

So according to your information your current installed plugin is version 5.4.7, to make plugins work with Ionic 3 you need to ensure you have installed 4.* version of the plugin.
Seems like you are using the right command for the install (adding #4 after the plugin install command).
Can you try uninstall the plugin and then attempt to reinstall and note which version its installing. You may have to try and install 4.* version:
npm install --save #ionic-native/social-sharing#4.12.0

Answer 2

I got an issue with cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing in Ionic3 and main issue was couldn't install cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing plugin properly(error: can't find plugin.xml for es6-promise-plugin).
Steps to fix:
Installed es6-promise-plugin : ionic cordova plugin add https://github.com/vstirbu/PromisesPlugin
Installed cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing : ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-x-socialsharing
npm install --save #ionic-native/social-sharing#4