# setCurrent(_:) Makes the specified context the current rendering context for the calling thread. ``` class func setCurrent(_ context: EAGLContext?) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `context` The rendering context that you want to make current. ## Return Value if successful; otherwise, . If an error occurred, the rendering context for the current thread remains unchanged. ## Discussion A context encapsulates all OpenGL ES state for a single thread in your app. When you call any OpenGL ES API function, OpenGL ES evaluates it with respect to the calling thread’s current context. Because OpenGL ES functions require a current context, you must use this method to select a context for the current thread before calling any OpenGL ES function. Unless otherwise specified, OpenGL ES commands calls made in the same context complete in the order they are called. OpenGL ES retains the context when it is made current, and it releases the previous context. To prevent a non-current context from being deallocated, your app should keep a `strong` reference to the context (or retain it, if using manual reference counting). Calling this method with a `nil` parameter releases the current context and leaves OpenGL ES unbound to any drawing context. You should avoid making the same context current on multiple threads. OpenGL ES provides no thread safety, so if you want to use the same context on multiple threads, you must employ some form of thread synchronization to prevent simultaneous access to the same context from multiple threads. --- 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)