# bindMemory(to:capacity:) Binds the memory to the specified type and returns a typed pointer to the bound memory. ``` @discardableResult func bindMemory(to type: T.Type, capacity count: Int) -> UnsafePointer where T : ~Copyable ``` ## Parameters `type` The type `T` to bind the memory to. `count` The amount of memory to bind to type `T`, counted as instances of `T`. ## Return Value A typed pointer to the newly bound memory. The memory in this region is bound to `T`, but has not been modified in any other way. The number of bytes in this region is `count * MemoryLayout.stride`. ## Discussion Use the `bindMemory(to:capacity:)` method to bind the memory referenced by this pointer to the type `T`. The memory must be uninitialized or initialized to a type that is layout compatible with `T`. If the memory is uninitialized, it is still uninitialized after being bound to `T`. In this example, 100 bytes of raw memory are allocated for the pointer `bytesPointer`, and then the first four bytes are bound to the `Int8` type. ``` let count = 4 let bytesPointer = UnsafeMutableRawPointer.allocate( byteCount: 100, alignment: MemoryLayout.alignment) let int8Pointer = bytesPointer.bindMemory(to: Int8.self, capacity: count) ``` After calling `bindMemory(to:capacity:)`, the first four bytes of the memory referenced by `bytesPointer` are bound to the `Int8` type, though they remain uninitialized. The remainder of the allocated region is unbound raw memory. All 100 bytes of memory must eventually be deallocated. > Warning: A memory location may only be bound to one type at a time. The > behavior of accessing memory as a type unrelated to its bound type is > undefined. --- 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)