Skill: MultipeerConnectivity P2P Streaming

Peer-to-peer video streaming using Apple's MultipeerConnectivity framework with per-viewer session architecture, trust-based authentication, and reliable video frame delivery.

When to Use

•Local mesh networking: Connecting 2-8 devices without internet/server infrastructure
•Video streaming between devices: Baby monitors, security cameras, remote displays
•Game sessions: Local multiplayer without server requirements
•File/data sharing: AirDrop-like functionality with custom protocols
•Proximity-based features: Nearby device discovery and communication

Consider Network.framework instead when:

•You have a clear client/server model (not true peer-to-peer)
•You need lower latency for real-time applications (per TN3151)
•You require fine-grained control over transport protocols

Key Concepts

Core Components

Component	Role	Description
`MCPeerID`	Identity	Unique device identifier (MUST be persisted for reconnection)
`MCSession`	Connection	Manages peer connections and data transfer
`MCNearbyServiceAdvertiser`	Discovery	Advertises availability to nearby peers
`MCNearbyServiceBrowser`	Discovery	Searches for advertising peers

Bonjour Service Type Naming (RFC 6763)

code

Format: _<service>._<protocol>
Rules:
- Maximum 15 characters (excluding underscores)
- Lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens only
- Must not start or end with hyphen

Examples:
✅ "carseet-stream"   (valid: 14 chars)
✅ "myapp-share"      (valid: 11 chars)  
❌ "my-really-long-service-name" (invalid: > 15 chars)

Per-Viewer Session Architecture

The recommended pattern uses separate MCSession per connected peer rather than a single shared session:

code

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   STREAMER (Camera)                  │
│                                                      │
│  ┌──────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌────────────┐ │
│  │ MCSession A  │  │ MCSession B  │  │ MCSession C│ │
│  │ (Viewer 1)   │  │ (Viewer 2)   │  │ (Viewer 3) │ │
│  └──────┬───────┘  └──────┬───────┘  └──────┬─────┘ │
└─────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼───────┘
          │                 │                 │
          ▼                 ▼                 ▼
     ┌─────────┐       ┌─────────┐       ┌─────────┐
     │ VIEWER 1│       │ VIEWER 2│       │ VIEWER 3│
     └─────────┘       └─────────┘       └─────────┘

Benefits:

•Selective disconnection: Revoke one viewer without affecting others
•Per-viewer state tracking: Independent connection status per device
•Granular access control: Different trust levels per connection

Encryption Options

swift

MCSession(
    peer: peerID,
    securityIdentity: nil,
    encryptionPreference: .required // .none, .optional, .required
)

Preference	Use Case
`.required`	Sensitive data (video, personal info) - Recommended
`.optional`	Balanced (encrypts if peer supports)
`.none`	Maximum performance (not recommended)

Implementation Guide

Step 1: MCPeerID Persistence

MCPeerID instances with the same displayName are NOT equal unless archived/unarchived:

swift

import KeychainAccess

class P2PStreamingManager {
    private let keychain = Keychain(service: Bundle.main.bundleIdentifier ?? "com.app")
        .accessibility(.whenUnlockedThisDeviceOnly)
    private let peerIDKey = "p2p_mcpeer_id"
    
    private func setupPeerID() {
        if let persistedPeerID = loadPersistedPeerID() {
            peerID = persistedPeerID
            return
        }
        
        let newPeerID = MCPeerID(displayName: UIDevice.current.name)
        peerID = newPeerID
        persistPeerID(newPeerID)
    }
    
    private func loadPersistedPeerID() -> MCPeerID? {
        guard let data = keychain[data: peerIDKey] else { return nil }
        return try? NSKeyedUnarchiver.unarchivedObject(
            ofClass: MCPeerID.self, 
            from: data
        )
    }
}

Step 2: Streamer (Advertiser) Setup

swift

class StreamerManager {
    private var peerID: MCPeerID!
    private var advertiser: MCNearbyServiceAdvertiser?
    private var viewerSessions: [String: MCSession] = []  // Per-viewer sessions
    
    private let serviceType = "carseet-stream"  // Max 15 chars
    
    func startAdvertising() {
        let discoveryInfo: [String: String] = [
            "role": "streamer",
            "deviceId": deviceId
        ]
        
        advertiser = MCNearbyServiceAdvertiser(
            peer: peerID,
            discoveryInfo: discoveryInfo,
            serviceType: serviceType
        )
        advertiser?.delegate = self
        advertiser?.startAdvertisingPeer()
    }
}

extension StreamerManager: MCNearbyServiceAdvertiserDelegate {
    func advertiser(_ advertiser: MCNearbyServiceAdvertiser,
                    didReceiveInvitationFromPeer peerID: MCPeerID,
                    withContext context: Data?,
                    invitationHandler: @escaping (Bool, MCSession?) -> Void) {
        
        // Per-viewer session architecture
        let viewerSession = MCSession(
            peer: self.peerID,
            securityIdentity: nil,
            encryptionPreference: .required
        )
        viewerSession.delegate = self
        
        // Store session for selective disconnect
        viewerSessions[credential.deviceId] = viewerSession
        
        invitationHandler(true, viewerSession)
    }
}

Step 3: Reliable Video Frame Streaming

swift

extension StreamerManager {
    func sendEncodedFrame(_ frame: EncodedVideoFrame) {
        let serializedData = frame.serialize()
        
        for (_, viewerSession) in viewerSessions {
            guard !viewerSession.connectedPeers.isEmpty else { continue }
            
            do {
                // Use .unreliable for video (lower latency, drops OK)
                // Use .reliable for control messages
                try viewerSession.send(
                    serializedData,
                    toPeers: viewerSession.connectedPeers,
                    with: .unreliable
                )
            } catch {
                print("Frame send error: \(error)")
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 4: Background Handling (Critical)

MPC does not function in background:

swift

class P2PManager {
    func setupAppLifecycleObservers() {
        NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
            forName: UIApplication.didEnterBackgroundNotification,
            object: nil,
            queue: .main
        ) { [weak self] _ in
            // MUST disconnect - MPC fails in background
            for (_, session) in self?.viewerSessions ?? [:] {
                session.disconnect()
            }
            self?.viewerSessions.removeAll()
        }
    }
}

Common Pitfalls

1. MCPeerID Equality Trap

swift

// ❌ WRONG - These are NOT equal even with same name
let peer1 = MCPeerID(displayName: "Device")
let peer2 = MCPeerID(displayName: "Device")
peer1 == peer2  // FALSE!

// ✅ CORRECT - Archive and persist, then unarchive
let archived = try NSKeyedArchiver.archivedData(withRootObject: peer1, requiringSecureCoding: true)
let restored = try NSKeyedUnarchiver.unarchivedObject(ofClass: MCPeerID.self, from: archived)
peer1 == restored  // TRUE!

2. Service Type Length Violation

swift

// ❌ WRONG - Too long (18 chars)
let serviceType = "my-awesome-service"  // Will fail silently

// ✅ CORRECT - Max 15 characters
let serviceType = "carseet-stream"  // 14 chars

3. Background Session Corruption

swift

// ❌ WRONG - Trying to keep session alive in background
func applicationDidEnterBackground() {
    // MPC WILL cause undefined behavior
}

// ✅ CORRECT - Disconnect immediately on background
func applicationDidEnterBackground() {
    session.disconnect()
}

4. Shared Session Disconnect Side Effects

swift

// ❌ WRONG - Shared session affects all peers
session.disconnect()  // Drops ALL connected viewers

// ✅ CORRECT - Per-viewer sessions for selective disconnect
func disconnectViewer(deviceId: String) {
    viewerSessions[deviceId]?.disconnect()
    viewerSessions.removeValue(forKey: deviceId)
}

References

Derived from CarSeet project - P2PStreamingManager.swift