# FFDeviceGetForceFeedbackState(_:_:) Retrieves the state of the device’s force feedback system. ``` func FFDeviceGetForceFeedbackState(_ deviceReference: FFDeviceObjectReference!, _ pFFState: UnsafeMutablePointer!) -> HRESULT ``` ## Parameters `deviceReference` An opaque reference handle to a device object. This is obtained from a previous call to FFCreateDevice. `pFFState` Location for flags that describe the current state of the device’s force feedback system. The value is a combination of the following constants: FFGFFS_ACTUATORSOFF The device’s force feedback actuators are disabled. FFGFFS_ACTUATORSON The device’s force feedback actuators are enabled. FFGFFS_DEVICELOST The device suffered an unexpected failure and is in an indeterminate state. It must be reset either by unacquiring and reacquiring the device, or by sending a FFSFFC_RESET command. FFGFFS_EMPTY The device has no downloaded effects. FFGFFS_PAUSED Playback of all active effects has been paused. FFGFFS_POWEROFF The force feedback system is not currently available. If the device cannot report the power state, neither FFGFFS_POWERON nor FFGFFS_POWEROFF is returned. FFGFFS_POWERON Power to the force feedback system is currently available. If the device cannot report the power state, neither FFGFFS_POWERON nor FFGFFS_POWEROFF is returned. FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHOFF The safety switch is currently off; that is, the device cannot operate. If the device cannot report the state of the safety switch, neither FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHON nor FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHOFF is returned. FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHON The safety switch is currently on; that is, the device can operate. If the device cannot report the state of the safety switch, neither FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHON nor FFGFFS_SAFETYSWITCHOFF is returned. FFGFFS_STOPPED No effects are playing, and the device is not paused. FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHOFF The user force feedback switch is currently off; that is, the device cannot operate. If the device cannot report the state of the user force feedback switch, neither FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHON nor FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHOFF is returned. FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHON The user force feedback switch is currently on; that is, the device can operate. If the device cannot report the state of the user force feedback switch, neither FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHON nor FFGFFS_USERFFSWITCHOFF is returned. Future versions can define additional flags. Applications should ignore any flags that are not currently defined. ## Return Value If the method succeeds, the return value is FF_OK. If the method fails, the return value can be one of the following error values: ## Discussion FFERR_INVALIDPARAM --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)