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# SecKeychainItemCreatePersistentReference(_:_:)

Creates a persistent reference for a keychain item.

```
func SecKeychainItemCreatePersistentReference(_ itemRef: SecKeychainItem, _ persistentItemRef: UnsafeMutablePointer<CFData?>) -> OSStatus
```

## Parameters

`itemRef`

A keychain item reference for the item for which you want a persistent reference.

`persistentItemRef`

On return, a persistent reference for the keychain item. You must call the `CFRelease` function to release this object when you are finished using it.

## Return Value

A result code. See [Security Framework Result Codes](/documentation/Security/security-framework-result-codes).

## Discussion

Unlike normal references, a persistent reference may be stored on disk or passed between processes. You can convert a persistent reference into an ordinary keychain item reference (`SecKeychainItemRef`) by calling the [`SecKeychainItemCopyFromPersistentReference(_:_:)`](/documentation/Security/SecKeychainItemCopyFromPersistentReference(_:_:)) function.

## See Also

[`SecKeychainSearchCopyNext`](/documentation/Security/SecKeychainSearchCopyNext)

Finds the next keychain item matching the given search criteria.


---

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