# detached(name:executorPreference:priority:operation:) Runs the given throwing operation asynchronously as part of a new *unstructured* *detached* top-level task. ``` @discardableResult static func detached(name: String? = nil, executorPreference taskExecutor: (any TaskExecutor)?, priority: TaskPriority? = nil, operation: sending @escaping () async throws -> Success) -> Task ``` ## Parameters `name` Human readable name of the task. `taskExecutor` The task executor that the child task should be started on and keep using. Explicitly passing `nil` as the executor preference is equivalent to no preference, and effectively means to inherit the outer context’s executor preference. You can also pass the [`globalConcurrentExecutor`](/documentation/Swift/globalConcurrentExecutor) global executor explicitly. `priority` The priority of the operation task. Omit this parameter or pass `nil` to inherit the enclosing context’s base priority. `operation` The operation to perform. ## Return Value A reference to the task. ## Discussion If the `operation` throws an error, it is caught by the `Task` and will be rethrown only when the task’s `value` is awaited. Take care to not accidentally dismiss errors by not awaiting on the task’s resulting value. Don’t use a detached unstructured task if it’s possible to model the operation using structured concurrency features like child tasks. Child tasks inherit the parent task’s priority and task-local storage, and canceling a parent task automatically cancels all of its child tasks. You need to handle these considerations manually with a detached task. You need to keep a reference to the task if you want to cancel it by calling the `Task.cancel()` method. Discarding your reference to a task doesn’t implicitly cancel that task, it only makes it impossible for you to explicitly cancel the task. --- 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)