---
name: "al_play_audio_stream"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "allegro"
version: "5.2.11.3-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/al_play_audio_stream"
---

# al\_play\_audio\_stream(3)

Allegro 5 API

## NAME

al\_play\_audio\_stream - Allegro 5 API

## SYNOPSIS

-

  ```
  #include <allegro5/allegro_audio.h>
  ALLEGRO_AUDIO_STREAM *al_play_audio_stream(const char *filename)
  ```

## DESCRIPTION

Loads and plays an audio file, streaming from disk as it is needed. This API can only play one audio stream at a time. This requires a default mixer to be set, which is typically done via [al\_reserve\_samples(3)](/al_reserve_samples/3.md), but can also be done via [al\_set\_default\_mixer(3)](/al_set_default_mixer/3.md).

Returns the stream on success, NULL on failure. You must not destroy the returned stream, it will be automatically destroyed when the addon is shut down.

*Note:* the allegro\_audio library does not support any audio file formats by default. You must use the allegro\_acodec addon, or register your own format handler.

## SEE ALSO

[al\_play\_audio\_stream\_f(3)](/al_play_audio_stream_f/3.md), [al\_load\_audio\_stream(3)](/al_load_audio_stream/3.md)

## SINCE

5\.2.8

*\[Unstable API\]:* New API.