# CVPixelBufferCreateWithIOSurface(_:_:_:_:) Creates a single pixel buffer for the IO surface that you specify. ``` func CVPixelBufferCreateWithIOSurface(_ allocator: CFAllocator?, _ surface: IOSurfaceRef, _ pixelBufferAttributes: CFDictionary?, _ pixelBufferOut: UnsafeMutablePointer?>) -> CVReturn ``` ## Parameters `allocator` The allocator to use for creating the buffer pool. Pass for the `allocator` parameter to use the default allocator. See for additional values you can use. `surface` The IOSurface to use in the pixel buffer. `pixelBufferAttributes` An optional dictionary that contains the attributes for the pixel buffer. See [Pixel Buffer Attribute Keys](/documentation/CoreVideo/pixel-buffer-attribute-keys) for possible values. `pixelBufferOut` On output, the newly created pixel buffer. ## Return Value A Core Video result code. See [Result Codes](/documentation/CoreVideo/result-codes) for possible values. ## Discussion Use [`CVPixelBufferRelease`](/documentation/CoreVideo/CVPixelBufferRelease) to release ownership of the `pixelBufferOut` object when you’re done with it. > Important: > If you are using IOSurface to share CVPixelBuffers between processes and those CVPixelBuffers are allocated via a CVPixelBufferPool, it is important that the CVPixelBufferPool does not reuse CVPixelBuffers whose IOSurfaces are still in use in other processes. > > CoreVideo and IOSurface will take care of this for if you use IOSurfaceCreateMachPort and IOSurfaceLookupFromMachPort, but NOT if you pass IOSurfaceIDs. --- 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)