---
title: generateSymmetricKey()
framework: applearchive
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/generatesymmetrickey()
---

# generateSymmetricKey()

Generates a symmetric encryption key.

## Declaration

```swift
func generateSymmetricKey() throws -> SymmetricKey
```

## Return Value

Return Value The new symmetric encryption key.

## Discussion

Discussion This function generates a new symmetric encryption key, stores it in the context, and returns it.

## See Also

### Setting and retrieving keys

- [mainKey](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/mainkey.md)
- [symmetricKey](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/symmetrickey.md)
- [setSymmetricKey(_:)](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/setsymmetrickey(_:).md)
- [setRecipientPrivateKey(_:)](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/setrecipientprivatekey(_:).md)
- [setSigningPrivateKey(_:)](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/setsigningprivatekey(_:).md)
- [setRecipientPublicKey(_:)](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/setrecipientpublickey(_:).md)
- [setSigningPublicKey(_:)](applearchive/archiveencryptioncontext/setsigningpublickey(_:).md)