# CGImageDestination An opaque type that you use to write image data to a URL, data object, or data consumer. ``` class CGImageDestination ``` ## Overview A [`CGImageDestination`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestination) object provides an abstract interface for saving image data. Use an image destination to represent a single image, or multiple images packaged together. For example, you might create an image that also contains a thumbnail. You can also use the image destination to add metadata to your images. An image destination outputs data to a URL, a `CFData` object, or a object, which you specify at creation time. After you create the image destination, add the image data and properties. When you are done, call [`CGImageDestinationFinalize(_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationFinalize(_:)) to finalize the image data and write it to the output location. For more information, see [Image I/O Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/ImageIOGuide/imageio_intro/ikpg_intro.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005462). ## Topics ### Creating an Image Destination [`CGImageDestinationCreateWithURL(_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationCreateWithURL(_:_:_:_:)) Creates an image destination that writes image data to the specified URL. [`CGImageDestinationCreateWithData(_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationCreateWithData(_:_:_:_:)) Creates an image destination that writes to a Core Foundation mutable data object. [`CGImageDestinationCreateWithDataConsumer(_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationCreateWithDataConsumer(_:_:_:_:)) Creates an image destination that writes to the specified data consumer. ### Adding Images to the Destination [`CGImageDestinationAddImage(_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationAddImage(_:_:_:)) Adds an image to an image destination. [`CGImageDestinationAddImageFromSource(_:_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationAddImageFromSource(_:_:_:_:)) Adds an image from an image source to an image destination. ### Adding Metadata to the Image [`CGImageDestinationSetProperties(_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationSetProperties(_:_:)) Applies one or more properties to all images in an image destination. [`CGImageDestinationAddAuxiliaryDataInfo(_:_:_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationAddAuxiliaryDataInfo(_:_:_:)) Sets the auxiliary data, such as mattes and depth information, that accompany the image. ### Finalizing the Image Data [`CGImageDestinationFinalize(_:)`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationFinalize(_:)) Writes image data and properties to the data, URL, or data consumer associated with the image destination. ### Getting the Image Types [`CGImageDestinationCopyTypeIdentifiers()`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationCopyTypeIdentifiers()) Returns an array of the uniform type identifiers that are supported for image destinations. [`CGImageDestinationGetTypeID()`](/documentation/ImageIO/CGImageDestinationGetTypeID()) Returns the unique type identifier of an image destination opaque type. ### Configuring the Image Behaviors [`kCGImageDestinationLossyCompressionQuality`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationLossyCompressionQuality) The desired compression quality to use when writing the image data. [`kCGImageDestinationBackgroundColor`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationBackgroundColor) The background color to use when the image has an alpha component, but the destination format doesn’t support alpha. [`kCGImageDestinationDateTime`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationDateTime) The date and time information to associate with the image. [`kCGImageDestinationEmbedThumbnail`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationEmbedThumbnail) A Boolean value that indicates whether to embed a thumbnail for JPEG and HEIF images. [`kCGImageDestinationImageMaxPixelSize`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationImageMaxPixelSize) The maximum width and height of the image, in pixels. [`kCGImageDestinationMetadata`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationMetadata) The metadata tags to include with the image. [`kCGImageDestinationMergeMetadata`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationMergeMetadata) A Boolean value that indicates whether to merge new metadata with the image’s existing metadata. [`kCGImageDestinationOptimizeColorForSharing`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationOptimizeColorForSharing) A Boolean value that indicates whether to create the image using a colorspace. [`kCGImageDestinationOrientation`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationOrientation) The orientation of the image, specified as an EXIF value in the range 1 to 8. [`kCGImageDestinationPreserveGainMap`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageDestinationPreserveGainMap) A Boolean value that indicates whether to include a HEIF-embedded gain map in the image data. [`kCGImageMetadataShouldExcludeGPS`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageMetadataShouldExcludeGPS) A Boolean value that indicates whether to exclude GPS metadata from EXIF data or the corresponding XMP tags. [`kCGImageMetadataShouldExcludeXMP`](/documentation/ImageIO/kCGImageMetadataShouldExcludeXMP) A Boolean value that indicates whether to exclude XMP data from the destination. --- 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)