How to create an iOS Streaming app: Step-by-step guide

Want to build a video streaming app for iOS but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Between Apple’s technical requirements and the complexity of video workflows, getting started can feel like a lot.

The good news? Now is a great time to launch. iOS users love streaming apps and they pay for them. Consumer spending on subscription-based apps grew by 35% in 2023, according to the State of App Marketing report. That means more opportunity to grow your audience and revenue on Apple devices.

Whether you're streaming workouts, entertainment, or live events, an iOS app puts your content where people already spend most of their time. Viewers watch 25% more video through apps than on websites, making mobile a key channel for engagement.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the full process of building your own iOS video streaming app from start to final playback.

‍

Step 1: Planning your iOS video streaming app

Before you dive into coding, proper planning is essential for building a scalable and user-friendly video streaming app. This stage defines the foundation of your app’s features, functionality, and user experience. Here’s how to do it right:

Define your app’s purpose and target audience

• Identify the type of content you want to stream: live events, on-demand videos, fitness classes, tutorials, or entertainment.

• Understand your target audience: Are they casual viewers, paid subscribers, or corporate users? This will help you tailor the app’s design and features.

• Choose your business model:  

• Subscription-based (SVOD) – e.g., Netflix

• Ad-supported (AVOD) – e.g., YouTube

• Pay-per-view (TVOD) – e.g., Apple TV
  
  ‍

Choose core features

Outline the core features your app will need. Here are some essential ones:

• User authentication: Allow users to sign up, log in, and manage their profiles.

• Video playback: Smooth streaming with play, pause, seek, and full-screen controls.

• Content management: Organize videos into categories, playlists, or collections.

• Offline viewing: Enable downloading content for offline access.

• Search and filters: Let users easily find content by title, category, or tags.

• Subscription and payment integration: Add in-app purchases or external payment gateways.

• Analytics and reporting: Track user activity and video performance.
  

Select the streaming protocol

For video streaming, you need a reliable protocol to deliver content efficiently:

• HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) – The industry standard for iOS apps, offering adaptive bitrate streaming and smooth playback.

• DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) – An alternative for cross-platform compatibility.

• RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) – Ideal for low-latency live streaming.

For iOS apps, HLS is the recommended choice as it offers native support on Apple devices.
‍

Backend and infrastructure planning

You’ll need a solid backend to handle video storage, encoding, and delivery:

• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Ensures smooth, buffer-free streaming by distributing content globally (e.g., AWS CloudFront, Akamai).

• Video Hosting Platform: Services like AWS S3, Vimeo, or Cloudinary for storing and streaming video files.

• Database: To manage user data, subscriptions, and video metadata.
  ‍

Ensure content security

If your app includes premium or paid content, you’ll need to protect it from unauthorized access:

• Use Signed URLs or Tokens to restrict access to authorized users.

• Apply DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent content piracy.

‍

Step 2: Getting the right software and hardware for ios app development

To build a reliable and performant iOS video streaming app, you need the right tools and hardware setup. This step ensures you have everything in place for smooth development, testing, and deployment.

Hardware requirements

To develop an iOS app, you’ll need:

• Mac Computer – iOS development requires macOS. Use a MacBook, iMac, or Mac Mini with at least:  
• macOS Monterey or later
• 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) for smooth performance.
• SSD storage for faster build times
• iPhone or iPad for Testing – While Xcode offers a simulator, it’s best to test your app on real devices to evaluate real-world performance and behavior.

Software requirements

You’ll need the following tools to build, test, and deploy your app:

Xcode

• Xcode is Apple’s official IDE for iOS app development. It comes with:  
• Code editor, debugger, and iOS simulator
• Swift and Objective-C support
• Integrated Instruments for performance monitoring
• Download it from the Mac App Store.
  ‍

iOS SDK and simulator

• Xcode includes the iOS SDK and a simulator, allowing you to test your app on various iOS devices without needing physical hardware.

• You can simulate different devices, screen sizes, and iOS versions.

Apple developer account

• To run your app on a real device or distribute it on the App Store, you’ll need an Apple Developer Account.

• Enroll at: Apple Developer Program.

Programming language: Swift

• Use Swift, Apple’s modern, safe, and efficient programming language for iOS development.

• It offers better performance and safety compared to Objective-C.

• Supported by Swift Package Manager (SPM) for easy dependency management.

Additional tools and libraries

To simplify streaming functionality, you may need:

• AVFoundation / AVKit – Apple's native frameworks for handling video playback.

• CocoaPods / Swift Package Manager – For managing third-party dependencies.

• Postman or Insomnia – For testing backend APIs during development.

• GitHub / Bitbucket – For source control and versioning.

Testing and debugging tools

• Instruments – Included with Xcode, used for profiling and optimizing app performance.

• XCTest – Apple’s testing framework for unit and UI testing.

• TestFlight – For beta testing your app with external users.

Step 3: Designing your iOS video streaming app

The design of your video streaming app plays a crucial role in user experience (UX) and engagement. A clean, intuitive, and visually appealing interface will keep users hooked and make your app easy to navigate. In this step, you’ll focus on

UI/UX design, branding, and layout planning.
‍

Define the user flow

Start by mapping out the user journey to ensure smooth navigation. Identify the core screens your app will have:

• Onboarding screen: Welcome users with a brief intro or tutorial.

• Login/Sign-up: Include authentication with email, social login, or OTP verification.

• Home screen: Display featured or trending content with categories and thumbnails.

• Video player screen: For playback with controls like play, pause, seek, and fullscreen mode.

• Search and filter: Let users easily find content with filters by genre, rating, or duration.

• Settings/profile: Include options for user preferences, subscriptions, and account management.

UI/UX design principles

Follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) to ensure your app offers a familiar and intuitive experience. Here’s what to focus on:

• Consistency: Use native iOS components and familiar navigation patterns.

• Clarity: Clear typography, readable fonts, and proper spacing.

• Feedback: Provide visual feedback on actions (e.g., loading indicators when buffering).

• Gestures and animations: Add fluid transitions for navigation and content loading.

Choosing the right design tools

Use industry-standard tools for creating wireframes and UI designs:

• Figma or Sketch: For prototyping and UI design.

• Adobe XD: For designing interactive app mockups.

• Zeplin or Avocode: To collaborate with developers and share design specs.

Color scheme and branding

Pick a consistent color scheme and typography that reflects your brand. For a streaming app:

• Dark mode is popular as it enhances the viewing experience.

• Use vibrant accent colors for buttons and highlights.

• Choose readable fonts like SF Pro, Apple’s native typeface, for a consistent iOS look.

‍

Responsive layout and adaptive design

Ensure your app adapts to different screen sizes:

• Use Auto Layout in Xcode to design flexible UIs.

• Optimize for both iPhones and iPads.

• Test in portrait and landscape orientations, as users may switch between them during video playback.

Video player UI elements

Your video player should have an intuitive and minimalistic design. Include:

• Playback controls: Play, pause, rewind, and forward buttons.

• Progress bar: For easy seeking.

• Volume and brightness controls: With gesture-based adjustments.

• Fullscreen toggle: To switch between standard and fullscreen modes.

• Buffering indicator: A spinner or progress bar when loading content.

Accessibility and usability

Make your app accessible:

• Use Dynamic Type to support font scaling.

• Include VoiceOver support for visually impaired users.

• Maintain sufficient color contrast for readability.

Common design mistakes to avoid

• Cluttering the user interface with too many options

• Making users tap more than three times to reach their content

• Using fonts that are hard to read

• Hiding important features in confusing menus

Step 4: iOS development process  

Once you’ve planned and designed your app, it’s time to dive into the development phase. This step involves building the app’s core functionality, integrating the video player, and implementing backend services. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the development process.

Setting up the Xcode Project

Xcode is Apple’s official IDE for building iOS apps. To get started:

• Open Xcode and create a new project.

• Select App > iOS > Swift as the language.

• Choose the appropriate deployment target (iOS 14 or later for better compatibility).

• Enable App Sandbox and Background Modes if you plan to support background playback.

Use Swift Package Manager (SPM) or CocoaPods to easily manage dependencies.

Integrating the video player

For video streaming, you need to integrate AVPlayer, Apple’s native video player framework.

Add the player to your app:

Swift:

1import AVKit 
2import AVFoundation 
3 
4// Initialize the player 
5let videoURL = URL(string: "https://example.com/stream.m3u8")! 
6let player = AVPlayer(url: videoURL) 
7let playerViewController = AVPlayerViewController() 
8playerViewController.player = player 
9 
10// Present the player 
11present(playerViewController, animated: true) { 
12    player.play() 
13}

Key features to implement:

• Playback controls: Play, pause, and seek functionality.

• Fullscreen mode: Toggle between fullscreen and regular mode.

• Error handling: Handle buffering, loading failures, and network issues gracefully.

Implementing user authentication

If your app requires login, add authentication using Firebase Authentication or OAuth:

• Firebase: For email, Google, or Apple sign-in.

• OAuth: For third-party authentication (Google, Facebook).

‍

Firebase example:

1import FirebaseAuth 
2 
3Auth.auth().signIn(withEmail: "test@example.com", password: "password") { authResult, error in 
4    if let error = error { 
5        print("Login failed: \(error.localizedDescription)") 
6    } else { 
7        print("User logged in: \(authResult?.user.uid ?? "")") 
8    } 
9}

‍

Key considerations:

• Secure user data with Keychain.
• Use JWT tokens for session management.

‍

Backend integration (API & Database)

To fetch video content dynamically, connect your app to a backend service:

• APIs: Use RESTful or GraphQL APIs to fetch video metadata, thumbnails, and details.

• Database: Store and retrieve user preferences, favorites, and watch history.

• CDN (Content Delivery Network): Use a CDN for efficient video streaming.

‍

Swift:

1let url = URL(string: "https://api.example.com/videos")! 
2let task = URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: url) { data, response, error in 
3    if let data = data { 
4        let json = try? JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data, options: []) 
5        print(json ?? "Invalid data") 
6    } 
7} 
8task.resume()

‍

Note : Use Alamofire or Combine for simplified API handling.

‍

Adding video features

Enhance the streaming experience with additional features:

• Adaptive Streaming: Use HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) for adaptive bitrate playback.

• Offline Playback: Download videos locally for offline viewing.

• Subtitles and Closed Captions: Use AVPlayerItemLegibleOutput to add captions.

• Picture-in-Picture (PiP): Enable PiP mode for multitasking.

‍

Swift:

1playerViewController.allowsPictureInPicturePlayback = true 
2playerViewController.canStartPictureInPictureAutomaticallyFromInline = tru

‍

Error handling and debugging

Ensure your app handles errors gracefully:

• Handle network failures with retry logic.

• Display error messages for unavailable content.

• Use Xcode Instruments to detect and fix memory leaks.

Note :  Use Crashlytics or Sentry to monitor crashes and errors in production.

Testing the app

Before release, thoroughly test your app:

• Test on real devices to check performance.

• Use Xcode’s Simulator for basic testing.

• Check for memory leaks and smooth video playback.

• Verify streaming quality under different network conditions.

‍

Step 5: App store submission and approval

Publishing your iOS video streaming app on the App Store requires careful preparation and strict adherence to Apple’s guidelines. Let’s go through the key steps to ensure a smooth submission process.

Creating your developer account

If you haven't already, you'll need to sign up for an Apple Developer Account.

• The annual membership fee is $99.

• This gives you access to TestFlight, App Store Connect, and the ability to publish apps.

• Be prepared for Apple’s verification process, which may take some time, as they thoroughly review documentation before approving accounts.

Note : Use the same Apple ID for development and App Store submissions to keep everything streamlined.

Preparing your app assets

Before submitting your app, you’ll need to gather and upload specific assets for your App Store listing, including:

• App icons: Ensure you provide icons in various sizes for different devices.

• Screenshots: Include screenshots for multiple devices (iPhone and iPad) showcasing your video streaming interface.

• App description & keywords: Write a clear, concise description with relevant keywords to boost discoverability.

• Privacy policy: Include a link to your privacy policy, especially if you collect user data.

• Content rating: Specify the appropriate content rating based on your app’s content.

Note : Use App Store Connect’s built-in preview tool to verify how your app listing will appear.

Meeting Apple’s guidelines

Apple enforces strict rules for apps, especially video streaming platforms. To increase your chances of approval, ensure your app:

• Supports high-quality video playback with minimal buffering.

• Includes content filtering options if you stream sensitive or categorized content.

• Clearly states subscription terms (if applicable).

• Follows user data privacy regulations (e.g., App Tracking Transparency).

• Provides proper error handling and smooth transitions during playback.

Note : Review Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines thoroughly to catch potential issues in advance.

Submission process

Once your app is ready, follow these steps for submission:

Test with TestFlight:

1. Use TestFlight to invite internal and external testers.

2. Gather feedback and fix any last-minute bugs.

Upload the app:

1. Archive your project in Xcode (Product → Archive).

2. Validate and upload it to App Store Connect.

Submit for review:

1. Fill in all the necessary information, including app assets and metadata.
2. Choose the release option: manual or automatic after approval.
3. Submit the app for review.
4. Apple’s review process typically takes 1-2 days.

Address feedback:

1. If your app is rejected, you’ll receive detailed feedback.

2. Make the necessary fixes and resubmit promptly.

Note : Use App Store Connect’s Resolution Center to communicate with Apple’s review team if needed.

‍

Common reasons for rejection

Video streaming apps often face extra scrutiny. To avoid rejection, ensure you:

• Provide complete and accurate information about your app.

• Verify smooth and bug-free video playback.

• Include clear privacy policies and content usage terms.

• Ensure consistent subscription flows with clear pricing details.

• Optimize app performance to prevent crashes or glitches.

Note : Before submission, create a checklist to confirm that your app meets Apple’s requirements. This reduces the chances of rejection and saves time on fixes.

‍

Step 6: Monitoring performance

Once your app is live, tracking key metrics is essential for ensuring a smooth user experience and identifying areas for improvement.

• Video Stream Quality: Monitor bitrate, resolution, and buffering incidents to maintain high playback quality.

• User Engagement: Track session length, retention rates, and user interactions to understand engagement.

• Subscription Rates: Keep an eye on conversion and churn rates if your app offers paid content.

• Watch Time: Analyze total watch time and drop-off points to gauge content popularity.

• App Stability: Use crash reporting tools to detect and fix crashes or technical issues promptly.

Note : Regular performance monitoring helps you optimize your app and deliver a seamless streaming experience.

‍

Step 7: Regular maintenance

Keeping your app updated is key to ensuring a smooth user experience and staying compliant with Apple’s guidelines.

• iOS updates: Regularly update your app to support the latest iOS versions and features.

• Bug fixes: Address reported issues promptly to maintain stability.
  Performance improvements: Optimize video quality, loading times, and overall app speed.

• User feedback: Implement new features or enhancements based on user requests.

• App store guidelines: Stay informed about policy changes to avoid rejections during future updates.

Note : Frequent maintenance ensures your app remains reliable, secure, and competitive.

‍

Wrapping…

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve covered the essentials of building a video streaming app for iOS from defining your app’s purpose and designing a clean UI, to integrating AVPlayer for smooth playback and adding features like login, offline viewing, and adaptive streaming.

As you continue, make sure to optimize performance, secure your content, and test thoroughly across real devices and network conditions. And don’t forget to follow Apple’s submission guidelines closely to avoid delays during review.

If you’re looking to go beyond the basics, FastPix can help you build more than just an iOS app for you. From live streaming to on-demand video, analytics, and global delivery we provide the full video infrastructure, all through one API.

To explore what else you can build, check our tutorial for a detailed walkthroughs, sample projects, and best practices to help you ship faster and stream better.