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How to Create an iOS Live Streaming App with Swift

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How to Create an iOS Live Streaming App with Swift

samuel chigozie's photo
samuel chigozie
·

5 min read

Are you intrigued by the world of live streaming and keen to create your own iOS app? This guide will walk you through the process, using Swift as your programming language. From understanding the basics of live streaming to implementing essential features, we'll provide clear and concise instructions. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge to build a successful live streaming app. Let's get started!

How to Build iOS Live Streaming App

Creating a live streaming app for iOS might sound tricky, but it's quite doable with the right tools. In this section, we'll walk you through the process using the ZEGOCLOUD Live Streaming Kit.

ZEGOCLOUD is a platform that offers tools for adding real-time voice and video features to apps. It makes it easier for developers to create live streaming apps without needing to build everything from scratch.

Before we start, let's make sure you have everything you need:

  • Sign up for a ZEGOCLOUD developer account.

  • Get your app details from the ZEGOCLOUD dashboard.

  • Have Xcode 15.0 or a newer version ready.

  • Use an iOS device running iOS 12.0 or later that can handle audio and video.

  • Make sure your device is online.

Once you've got all these sorted, you're set to begin building your iOS live streaming app with ZEGOCLOUD.

In the next sections, we'll go through the steps to set up your project and add live streaming features. We'll keep things clear and straightforward, so you can follow along easily, even if you're new to app development.

1. Adding the SDK Dependencies

1.1 Setting Up CocoaPods

To begin, you'll need to add the ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreaming dependency using CocoaPods, a dependency manager for Swift and Objective-C projects.

Create a Podfile: Open Terminal, navigate to the root directory of your project, and run the following command:

pod init

This command generates a Podfile in your project, which is used to manage your project's dependencies.

Edit the Podfile: Open the newly created Podfile and add the ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreaming dependency. Your Podfile should look something like this:

target 'YourProjectName' do
  use_frameworks!

  # Add the ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreaming pod
  pod 'ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreaming'
end

Install Dependencies: After saving the Podfile, return to Terminal and run:

pod install

This command will download and install the ZegoUIKit SDK along with any other dependencies specified in your Podfile. It will also generate an .xcworkspace file that you'll use to open your project from now on.

2. Importing the SDK

Once the dependencies are installed, you need to import the SDK into your project files.

Import Statements: Add the following import statements to your YourViewController.swift file, or wherever you plan to implement the live streaming functionality:

import ZegoUIKit
import ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreaming

MainViewController Setup: Create or update your MainViewController class where the live streaming logic will be handled:

class MainViewController: UIViewController {
    // Other code...
}

3. Implementing Live Streaming Functionality

Now that the SDK is integrated, it's time to implement the functionality for starting and watching live streams.

3.1 Obtain App Credentials

Before proceeding, make sure you have your appID and appSign from the ZEGOCLOUD Admin Console. These credentials are required to authenticate your app with the ZEGOCLOUD services.

3.2 Define User and Stream Information

In your MainViewController, define the userID, userName, and liveID variables, which will be used to identify users and the specific live stream:

class MainViewController: UIViewController {
    // Other code...
    var userID: String = "<#UserID#>"     // Replace <#UserID#> with the actual user ID
    var userName: String = "<#UserName#>" // Replace <#UserName#> with the actual user name
    var liveID: String = "<#liveID#>"     // Replace <#liveID#> with the actual live ID

Note:

  • userID, userName, and liveID should only contain alphanumeric characters and underscores.

  • Using the same liveID allows users to join the same live stream.

3.3 Starting and Watching Live Streams

Implement the methods for starting a live stream as a host and watching a live stream as an audience member:

func startLive() {
    let config: ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingConfig = ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingConfig.host()
    let liveVC: ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingVC = ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingVC(yourAppID, appSign: yourAppSign, userID: self.userID, userName: self.userName, liveID: self.liveID, config: config)
    liveVC.modalPresentationStyle = .fullScreen
    self.present(liveVC, animated: true, completion: nil)
}

func watchLive() {
    let config: ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingConfig = ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingConfig.audience()
    let liveVC: ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingVC = ZegoUIKitPrebuiltLiveStreamingVC(yourAppID, appSign: yourAppSign, userID: self.userID, userName: self.userName, liveID: self.liveID, config: config)
    liveVC.modalPresentationStyle = .fullScreen
    self.present(liveVC, animated: true, completion: nil)
}

Start Live Stream: startLive() configures the live stream for the host and presents the liveVC view controller.

Watch Live Stream: watchLive() configures the live stream for audience members and presents the liveVC view controller.

Warning: Only one user can host a live stream under a specific liveID. Other users must join as audience members.

4. Configuring Permissions

To enable the use of the camera and microphone, you must add the appropriate permissions to your Info.plist file.

Open Info.plist: Locate and open the Info.plist file in your project.

Add Camera and Microphone Usage Descriptions: Insert the following key-value pairs within the <dict> tags:

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>We require camera access to connect to a live stream.</string>
<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>We require microphone access to connect to a live stream.</string>

These strings will be displayed to the user when your app requests access to the camera and microphone.

5. Running and Testing Your App

With everything set up, you are ready to run and test your app:

  • Build and Run: Open the .xcworkspace file in Xcode, select your target device or simulator, and click the Run button.

  • Test Scenarios: Test the live streaming functionality by initiating a live stream as a host and joining as an audience member using different liveID values.

Conclusion

Creating a live streaming app for iOS using Swift and the ZEGOCLOUD Live Streaming Kit is a straightforward process when you have the right guidance. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you’ve learned how to integrate the necessary SDK, configure your project, and implement key features like hosting and watching live streams. With the app built and tested, you’re now equipped to offer live streaming capabilities to your users, enhancing their experience and engagement. Whether for personal projects or professional use, this guide has provided you with the essential tools to succeed in iOS app development.

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