# CFStringGetCharactersPtr(_:) Quickly obtains a pointer to the contents of a string as a buffer of Unicode characters. ``` func CFStringGetCharactersPtr(_ theString: CFString!) -> UnsafePointer! ``` ## Parameters `theString` The string whose contents you wish to access. ## Return Value A pointer to a buffer of Unicode character, or `NULL` if the internal storage of `theString` does not allow this to be returned efficiently. ## Discussion This function either returns the requested pointer immediately, with no memory allocations and no copying, or it returns `NULL`. If the latter is the result, call an alternative function such as [`CFStringGetCharacters(_:_:_:)`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFStringGetCharacters(_:_:_:)) function to extract the characters. Whether or not this function returns a valid pointer or `NULL` depends on many factors, all of which depend on how the string was created and its properties. In addition, the function result might change between different releases and on different platforms. So do not count on receiving a non-`NULL` result from this function under any circumstances (except when the object is created with [`CFStringCreateMutableWithExternalCharactersNoCopy(_:_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFStringCreateMutableWithExternalCharactersNoCopy(_:_:_:_:_:))). --- 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)