Build a React Native Livestreaming App: A Step-by-Step Guide
Blog post from Stream
The guide outlines a comprehensive process for integrating live video streaming into iOS and Android apps using React Native, enabling users to interact, chat, and watch events together, akin to platforms like Facebook Live or Twitch. It details the setup of a React Native development environment, including essential tools such as Xcode, VS Code, and Android Studio, and the installation of Stream's React Native Video SDK to facilitate cross-platform event streaming. Developers are guided through creating a new React Native project, installing necessary SDKs and peer dependencies, and setting platform-specific permissions for camera and microphone access. The guide further explains configuring both iOS and Android settings, such as permissions in AppDelegate.mm and AndroidManifest.xml, and setting Java compatibility in build.gradle. It describes using the Stream Video React Native SDK to build and render live video broadcasts, leveraging a Selective Forwarding Unit (SFU) for real-time scalability. The tutorial concludes with instructions on running the app on actual devices, offering insights into further developing advanced features such as notifications, co-host management, and chat integration.