React Native - True Streaming Support

[Mohammed-Ashraf-Abu]

Description

We are attempting to implement true streaming responses (incremental data delivery over a single HTTP connection, such as SSE or chunked responses) in a React Native application.

While this works reliably in web environments using standard browser APIs (for example fetch with streaming, ReadableStream, or EventSource), the same behavior is not fully supported or exposed in React Native.

In practice, responses are often buffered until completion, which prevents real-time streaming use cases.

Expected Behavior

• Ability to consume response data incrementally as it is received
  

• Support for use cases such as:
          1.   Server-Sent Events (SSE)
          2.  Token-by-token AI responses
          3.   Long-lived streaming HTTP connections
          4.   Parity with browser networking behavior where possible
  

Actual Behavior

• Responses are buffered before being delivered to JavaScript
• No stable or documented API to access low-level response streams
• Streaming behavior differs across platforms and implementations
• Makes true real-time streaming difficult or infeasible

Use Cases Impacted

• AI assistants and chat interfaces with live token streaming
• Real-time logs, progress updates, or status feeds
• Long-running backend processes with incremental output

Context

• Framework: React Native
  

• Platforms: iOS and Android
  

• Networking: fetch and native networking stack
  

Questions / Clarification Requested

•     Is the lack of true streaming support an intentional architectural limitation?
  

•     Are there any plans or roadmap items to support incremental response streaming?
  

•     Is there a recommended native-module or architectural approach for implementing true streaming today?
  

•     Should developers rely on alternatives such as WebSockets for these use cases?
  

•     Any guidance or direction from the maintainers or community would be greatly appreciated.
  

[kraenhansen]

Can you share a bit more information on versions and packages you're using here?

Is this bare React Native or Expo? And in which versions are you able to verify this sub-optimal behaviour?