<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.11.0 -",
    "tvOS: -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "Metal",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/Metal/MTLLoadAction",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Enumeration",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Enumeration",
    "modules" : [
      "Metal"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:@E@MTLLoadAction"
  },
  "title" : "MTLLoadAction"
}
-->

# MTLLoadAction

Types of actions performed for an attachment at the start of a rendering pass.

```
enum MTLLoadAction
```

## Topics

### Load actions

[`MTLLoadAction.dontCare`](/documentation/Metal/MTLLoadAction/dontCare)

The GPU has permission to discard the existing contents of the attachment at the start of the render pass, replacing them with arbitrary data.

[`MTLLoadAction.load`](/documentation/Metal/MTLLoadAction/load)

The GPU preserves the existing contents of the attachment at the start of the render pass.

[`MTLLoadAction.clear`](/documentation/Metal/MTLLoadAction/clear)

The GPU writes a value to every pixel in the attachment at the start of the render pass.



---

Copyright &copy; 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)