# handleStart Performs any custom initialization associated with starting the device service. ``` virtual bool handleStart(IOService *provider); ``` ## Parameters `provider` The `IOService` provider for this object. ## Return Value `true` if initialization was successful, or `false` if it wasn’t. ## Discussion When defining a custom service, override this method and use it to perform any custom initialization. For example, you might allocate memory for your service’s instance variables and store a reference to the provider object for later use. The default implementation of this method returns `true`, and performs no other actions. Don’t call this method yourself. The [`Start`](/documentation/HIDDriverKit/IOUserHIDDevice/Start) method calls it when starting up the service. --- 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)