# connection(_:willSend:redirectResponse:) Sent when the connection determines that it must change URLs in order to continue loading a request. ``` optional func connection(_ connection: NSURLConnection, willSend request: URLRequest, redirectResponse response: URLResponse?) -> URLRequest? ``` ## Parameters `connection` The connection sending the message. `request` The proposed redirected request. The delegate should inspect the redirected request to verify that it meets its needs, and create a copy with new attributes to return to the connection if necessary. `response` The URL response that caused the redirect. May be `nil` in cases where this method is called because of URL canonicalization. ## Return Value The actual URL request to use in light of the redirection response. The delegate may return `request` unmodified to allow the redirect, return a new request, or return `nil` to reject the redirect and continue processing the connection. ## Discussion If `redirectResponse` is `nil`, the URL was canonicalized (rewritten into its standard form) by the [`URLProtocol`](/documentation/Foundation/URLProtocol) object handling the request. Update your user interface to show the standardized form of the URL, then return the original request unmodified. Otherwise, to cancel the redirect, call the `connection` object’s `cancel` method, then return the provided request object. To receive the body of the redirect response itself, return `nil` to cancel the redirect. The connection continues to process, eventually sending your delegate a `connectionDidFinishLoading` or `connection:didFailLoadingWithError:` message, as appropriate. To redirect the request to a different URL, create a new request object and return it. > Important: > Your delegate method is called on the thread where the connection is scheduled. If you call the `cancel` method, do so on that same thread. The delegate should be prepared to receive this message multiple times. --- 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)