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# isSynchronous

A Boolean value that determines whether Photos processes the image request synchronously.

```
var isSynchronous: Bool { get set }
```

## Discussion

If `false` (the default), the [`requestImage(for:targetSize:contentMode:options:resultHandler:)`](/documentation/Photos/PHImageManager/requestImage(for:targetSize:contentMode:options:resultHandler:)) method returns immediately. Depending on the [`deliveryMode`](/documentation/Photos/PHImageRequestOptions/deliveryMode) property, Photos may call your `resultHandler` block before the method returns, at some later time, or both.

If `true`, the [`requestImage(for:targetSize:contentMode:options:resultHandler:)`](/documentation/Photos/PHImageManager/requestImage(for:targetSize:contentMode:options:resultHandler:)) method blocks the calling thread until image data is ready or an error occurs. Photos calls your result handler block exactly once.

> Note:
> Perform synchronous requests from a background thread only.

---

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