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# usage

Options that determine how you can use the texture.

```
var usage: MTLTextureUsage { get set }
```

## Discussion

The default value for this property is [`shaderRead`](/documentation/Metal/MTLTextureUsage/shaderRead). If the given texture has multiple uses in your app, you can combine multiple usage options for that texture. After you set a texture’s usage options, you can use it only in the ways that you specified.

Metal can optimize operations for a given texture, based on its intended use. Set explicit usage options for a texture, if you know them in advance, before you use the texture. Only set usage options that correspond to a texture’s intended use.

In iOS devices with GPU family 5, Metal doesn’t apply lossless compression to a given texture if you set any of these options:

- [`unknown`](/documentation/Metal/MTLTextureUsage/unknown)
- [`shaderWrite`](/documentation/Metal/MTLTextureUsage/shaderWrite)
- [`pixelFormatView`](/documentation/Metal/MTLTextureUsage/pixelFormatView)

---

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