# instantiateInitialViewController() Creates the initial view controller and initializes it with the data from the storyboard. ``` func instantiateInitialViewController() -> UIViewController? ``` ## Return Value The initial view controller in the storyboard. ## Discussion Every storyboard file has an initial view controller that represents the default view controller to create. Typically, you use the initial view controller as the root view controller for a window. However, you can also instantiate the initial view controller when transitioning to content in a new storyboard file. This method creates a new instance of the initial view controller using its [`init(coder:)`](/documentation/UIKit/UIViewController/init(coder:)) method. When you specify a storyboard in the or key of your app’s `Info.plist` file, UIKit loads the initial view controller from that storyboard. --- 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)