# CFAllocatorGetDefault() Gets the default allocator object for the current thread. ``` func CFAllocatorGetDefault() -> Unmanaged! ``` ## Return Value A reference to the default allocator for the current thread. If none has been explicitly set, returns the generic system allocator, [`kCFAllocatorSystemDefault`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/kCFAllocatorSystemDefault). Ownership follows [The Get Rule](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFMemoryMgmt/Concepts/Ownership.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001148-SW1). ## Discussion See the discussion for [`CFAllocatorSetDefault(_:)`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFAllocatorSetDefault(_:)) for more detail on the default allocator and for advice on how and when to set a custom allocator as the default. --- 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)