Difference between stringResource and LocalContext.current.getString

Question

I am following the Android Basics with Compose course, and on this page it uses stringResource(affirmation.stringResourceId) to get the resource in the Image composable, but LocalContext.current.getString(affirmation.stringResourceId) to do the same in the Text composable:

import androidx.compose.material3.Text
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext

@Composable
fun AffirmationCard(affirmation: Affirmation, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
    Card(modifier = modifier) {
        Column {
            Image(
                painter = painterResource(affirmation.imageResourceId),
                contentDescription = stringResource(affirmation.stringResourceId),
                modifier = Modifier
                    .fillMaxWidth()
                    .height(194.dp),
                contentScale = ContentScale.Crop
            )
            Text(
                text = LocalContext.current.getString(affirmation.stringResourceId),
                modifier = Modifier.padding(16.dp),
                style = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineSmall
            )
        }
    }
}

What is the difference and why does it use both in different places?

tomerpacific · Accepted Answer · 2025-07-21 11:24:08Z

8

There is a key difference between using

stringResource(affirmation.stringResourceId) or
LocalContext.current.getString(affirmation.stringResourceId):

The first can only be used inside of a Composable, while the other can be used anywhere assuming you have a context.

This means that the first is aware of recompositions and can trigger them (I.E. in a scenario where the locale changes), while the second option won't do that.

In the example you have given, it's not clear why it was used this way, might be an oversight.

edited Jul 21, 2025 at 11:24

answered Jul 21, 2025 at 4:57

tomerpacific

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3 Comments

tyg Jul 21, 2025 at 9:07

To make it more explicit: Always use the first one.

Marsroverr Jul 21, 2025 at 18:10

It's almost certainly an oversight as the description above the code block in the tutorial even says "Pass a stringResource of the affirmation.stringResourceId to the text parameter"

tyg Oct 18, 2025 at 22:26

The getter for LocalContext.current is a composable function, so this will also only work inside of a composable.

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