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# startingToken

An opaque token that indicates a point in history in the user’s Contacts database.

```
var startingToken: Data? { get set }
```

## Discussion

Specify <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/nil-227m0> to receive a [`CNChangeHistoryDropEverythingEvent`](/documentation/Contacts/CNChangeHistoryDropEverythingEvent), followed by an add event for every contact and group in the Contacts database.

Save the [`currentHistoryToken`](/documentation/Contacts/CNFetchResult/currentHistoryToken) from a successful fetch result in your app, then specify it here to receive changes after that point in history.

---

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