---
title: "init(base64Encoding:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Initializer
path: "foundation/nsdata/init(base64encoding:)"
---

# init(base64Encoding:)

Initializes a data object initialized with the given Base64 encoded string.

## Declaration

```swift
init?(base64Encoding base64String: String)
```

## Parameters

- `base64String`: A Base-64 encoded string.

## Return Value

Return Value A data object built by Base-64 decoding the provided string. Returns nil if the data object could not be decoded.

## Discussion

Discussion Although this method was only introduced publicly for iOS 7, it has existed since iOS 4; you can use it if your application needs to target an operating system prior to iOS 7. This method behaves like init(base64EncodedString:options:), but ignores all unknown characters.

## See Also

### Encoding and Decoding Base64 Representations

- [init(base64EncodedData:options:)](foundation/nsdata/init(base64encodeddata:options:).md)
- [init(base64EncodedString:options:)](foundation/nsdata/init(base64encodedstring:options:).md)
- [base64EncodedData(options:)](foundation/nsdata/base64encodeddata(options:).md)
- [base64EncodedString(options:)](foundation/nsdata/base64encodedstring(options:).md)
- [base64Encoding()](foundation/nsdata/base64encoding().md)
- [NSData.Base64EncodingOptions](foundation/nsdata/base64encodingoptions.md)
- [NSData.Base64DecodingOptions](foundation/nsdata/base64decodingoptions.md)