# Watching a Livestream

This guide describes how to watch a livestream using our SDK.

<Admonition type="note">

- Read our [tutorial](https://getstream.io/video/sdk/android/tutorial/livestreaming/) for more info on how to implement livestreaming host and viewer apps.
- Go to the [HLS section](https://getstream.io/video/sdk/android/tutorial/livestreaming/) of our tutorial to find out how to view a HLS livestream.

</Admonition>

If you want to watch a WebRTC livestream, then you can either use our `LivestreamPlayer`, or build your own component.

## LivestreamPlayer UI component

The `LivestreamPlayer` component shows the following information:

- _live_ indicator
- number of participants
- duration
- _pause/resume_ on tap functionality
- _mute/unmute_ incoming sound

### Basic usage

For standard usage, you just need to pass a `call` object:

```kotlin
LivestreamPlayer(call = call)
```

![watching-livestream-1.png](https://getstream.io/docs-assets/images/6a3ff428c55c.png)

### Customization

This is the full signature of the component:

```kotlin
@Composable
public fun LivestreamPlayer(
    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
    call: Call,
    enablePausing: Boolean = true,
    onPausedPlayer: ((isPaused: Boolean) -> Unit)? = {},
    backstageContent: @Composable BoxScope.(Call) -> Unit = { /* default backstage UI */ },
    rendererContent: @Composable BoxScope.(Call) -> Unit = { /* default video renderer */ },
    overlayContent: @Composable BoxScope.(Call) -> Unit = { LivestreamPlayerOverlay(call) }
)
```

- `modifier`: Used to apply styling to the component, such as extra borders, background, elevation, size or shape and more.
- `call`: The livestream call to watch.
- `enablePausing`: Controls the _pause/resume_ on tap functionality.
- `onPausedPlayer`: Event handler for the _pause/resume_ on tap event.
- `backstageContent`: Content to show when the call is in backstage mode (i.e. the host has not started the livestream yet).
- `rendererContent`: Used to control how the video feed is rendered on screen.
- `overlayContent`: Used for customizing the overlay that contains participant count, duration and other info.


---

This page was last updated at 2026-08-10T16:01:04.174Z.

For the most recent version of this documentation, visit [https://getstream.io/video/docs/android/ui-cookbook/watching-a-livestream/](https://getstream.io/video/docs/android/ui-cookbook/watching-a-livestream/).