# initializeMemory(as:to:) Initializes the memory referenced by this pointer with the given value, binds the memory to the value’s type, and returns a typed pointer to the initialized memory. ``` @discardableResult func initializeMemory(as type: T.Type, to value: consuming T) -> UnsafeMutablePointer where T : ~Copyable ``` ## Parameters `type` The type to which this memory will be bound. `value` The value used to initialize this memory. ## Return Value A typed pointer to the memory referenced by this raw pointer. ## Discussion The memory referenced by this pointer must be uninitialized or initialized to a trivial type, and must be properly aligned for accessing `T`. The following example allocates raw memory for one instance of `UInt`, and then uses the `initializeMemory(as:to:)` method to initialize the allocated memory. ``` let bytePointer = UnsafeMutableRawPointer.allocate( byteCount: MemoryLayout.stride, alignment: MemoryLayout.alignment) let int8Pointer = bytePointer.initializeMemory(as: UInt.self, to: 0) // After using 'int8Pointer': int8Pointer.deallocate() ``` After calling this method on a raw pointer `p`, the region starting at `self` and continuing up to `p + MemoryLayout.stride` is bound to type `T` and initialized. If `T` is a nontrivial type, you must eventually deinitialize the memory in this region to avoid memory leaks. --- 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)