# next Returns the next responder in the responder chain, or `nil` if there’s no next responder. ``` var next: UIResponder? { get } ``` ## Return Value The next object in the responder chain, or `nil` if this is the last object in the chain. ## Discussion The [`UIResponder`](/documentation/UIKit/UIResponder) class doesn’t store or set the next responder automatically, so this method returns `nil` by default. Subclasses must override this method and return an appropriate next responder. For example, [`UIView`](/documentation/UIKit/UIView) implements this method and returns the [`UIViewController`](/documentation/UIKit/UIViewController) object that manages it (if it has one) or its superview (if it doesn’t). [`UIViewController`](/documentation/UIKit/UIViewController) similarly implements the method and returns its view’s superview. [`UIWindow`](/documentation/UIKit/UIWindow) returns the application object. The shared [`UIApplication`](/documentation/UIKit/UIApplication) object normally returns `nil`, but it returns its app delegate if that object is a subclass of [`UIResponder`](/documentation/UIKit/UIResponder) and hasn’t already been called to handle the event. --- 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)