# init(propertiesOfMetadataItem:valueLoadingHandler:) Creates a metadata item whose value loads on an on-demand basis only. ``` init(propertiesOfMetadataItem metadataItem: AVMetadataItem, valueLoadingHandler handler: @escaping @Sendable (AVMetadataItemValueRequest) -> Void) ``` ## Parameters `metadataItem` The metadata item that provides the [`identifier`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMetadataItem/identifier), [`extendedLanguageTag`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMetadataItem/extendedLanguageTag), and other property values that you want the newly created metadata item to share. The system ignores the value of this template metadata item. `handler` A callback the system invokes to load the value for the metadata item. ## Return Value A newly created instance of [`AVMetadataItem`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMetadataItem). ## Discussion Use this method to create metadata items for optional display purposes. For example, a metadata item that provides a large image, should only load the image when the system requests it. When you load the [`value`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVPartialAsyncProperty/value) of a metadata item you created with this initializer, the closure you provide as the value loading handler executes on an arbitrary dispatch queue, off the main thread. The handler can perform I/O and other necessary operations to obtain the value. If loading of the value succeeds, provide the value by calling [`respond(value:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMetadataItemValueRequest/respond(value:)). If loading of the value fails, provide an instance an error object that describes the failure by calling [`respond(error:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMetadataItemValueRequest/respond(error:)). ```swift // A template metadata item that provides supporting data. let templateItem = AVMetadataItem() let artworkItem = AVMetadataItem(propertiesOf: templateItem) { request in if let image = UIImage(named: "large_artwork"), let data = image.pngData() { request.respond(value: NSData(data: data)) } else { request.respond(error: AppError.imageLoadingError) } } ``` > Note: > Don’t use this method to create metadata items whose values you need immediately, such as those you create for immediate display or serialization. --- 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)