What is a Cordova Plugin?

Cordova is an open-source mobile development framework that allows you to build apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Essentially, it wraps your web app into a native container, allowing it to run like a real mobile application on Android, iOS, and other platforms.

But here’s the catch: JavaScript alone cannot access device features like the camera, Bluetooth, or file system.

That’s where Cordova plugins come in.

So, What is a Cordova Plugin?

A Cordova plugin is a bridge between your web-based code (JavaScript) and native device functionality (like camera, contacts, GPS, etc.).

Plugins are usually written in:

  • Java (for Android)
  • Objective-C/Swift (for iOS)
  • With a JavaScript interface that your Cordova app can call.

This allows you to write just a few lines of JavaScript to do something complex on the device—like scanning a QR code, reading a file, or connecting to Bluetooth.

Example: Using the Camera Plugin

To use the camera in a Cordova app, you might install the plugin like this:

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-camera

Then in your JavaScript:

              navigator.camera.getPicture(
                         function(imageData) {
                         console.log(“Got image!”, imageData);
                     },
                   function(error) {
                        console.error(“Camera failed:”, error);
                    },
                  {
                           quality: 50,
                          destinationType: Camera.DestinationType.DATA_URL
                   }
         );

One simple function call, and you’re using the device’s camera!

Custom Plugins

You can also write your own Cordova plugins if you need access to device features not covered by existing plugins. This requires some knowledge of both native and web programming, but it’s a powerful way to extend your hybrid app.