RTCPeerConnection.addStream()

Deprecated
This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The obsolete RTCPeerConnection method addStream() adds a MediaStream as a local source of audio or video. Instead of using this obsolete method, you should instead use addTrack() once for each track you wish to send to the remote peer.

If the signalingState is set to closed, an InvalidStateError is raised. If the signalingState is set to stable, the event negotiationneeded is sent on the RTCPeerConnection to indicate that ICE negotiation must be repeated to consider the new stream.

Syntax

rtcPeerConnection.addStream(mediaStream);

Parameters

mediaStream
A MediaStream object indicating the stream to add to the WebRTC peer connection.

Return value

None.

Example

This simple example adds the audio and video stream coming from the user's camera to the connection.

navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({video:true, audio:true}, function(stream) {
  var pc = new RTCPeerConnection();
  pc.addStream(stream);
});

Migrating to addTrack()

Compatibility allowing, you should update your code to instead use the addTrack() method:

navigator.getUserMedia({video:true, audio:true}, function(stream) {
  var pc = new RTCPeerConnection();
  stream.getTracks().forEach(function(track) {
    pc.addTrack(track, stream);
  });
});

The newer addTrack() API avoids confusion over whether later changes to the track-makeup of a stream affects a peer connection (they do not).

The exception is in Chrome, where addStream() does make the peer connection sensitive to later stream changes (though such changes do not fire the negotiationneeded event). If you are relying on the Chrome behavior, note that other browsers do not have it. You can write web compatible code using feature detection instead:

// Add a track to a stream and the peer connection said stream was added to:

stream.addTrack(track);
if (pc.addTrack) {
  pc.addTrack(track, stream);
} else {
  // If you have code listening for negotiationneeded events:
  setTimeout(() => pc.dispatchEvent(new Event('negotiationneeded')));
}

// Remove a track from a stream and the peer connection said stream was added to:

stream.removeTrack(track);
if (pc.removeTrack) {
  pc.removeTrack(pc.getSenders().find(sender => sender.track == track));
} else {
  // If you have code listening for negotiationneeded events:
  setTimeout(() => pc.dispatchEvent(new Event('negotiationneeded')));
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WebRTC 1.0: Real-time Communication Between Browsers
The definition of 'RTCPeerConnection.addStream()' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
addStream
Deprecated
Chrome Full support 24Edge Full support 15Firefox Full support 22IE No support NoOpera Full support 43
Notes
Full support 43
Notes
Notes Promise-based version.
No support 37 — 43
Safari ? WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 44Opera Android Full support 43
Notes
Full support 43
Notes
Notes Promise-based version.
No support 37 — 43
Safari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support 6.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also