---
title: "objc_allocateProtocol(_:)"
framework: Objective-C Runtime
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
platforms: [iOS 4.3+, iPadOS 4.3+, Mac Catalyst 13.1+, macOS 10.7+, tvOS 9.0+, visionOS 1.0+, watchOS 1.0+]
path: "objectivec/objc_allocateprotocol(_:)"
---

# objc_allocateProtocol(_:)

Creates a new protocol instance.

## Declaration

```swift
func objc_allocateProtocol(_ name: UnsafePointer<CChar>) -> Protocol?
```

## Parameters

- `name`: The name of the protocol you want to create.

## Return Value

Return Value A new protocol instance or nil if a protocol with the same name as name already exists.

## Discussion

Discussion You must register the returned protocol instance with the objc_registerProtocol(_:) function before you can use it. There is no dispose method associated with this function.

## See Also

### Working with Protocols

- [objc_getProtocol(_:)](objectivec/objc_getprotocol(_:).md)
- [objc_copyProtocolList(_:)](objectivec/objc_copyprotocollist(_:).md)
- [objc_registerProtocol(_:)](objectivec/objc_registerprotocol(_:).md)
- [protocol_addMethodDescription(_:_:_:_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_addmethoddescription(_:_:_:_:_:).md)
- [protocol_addProtocol(_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_addprotocol(_:_:).md)
- [protocol_addProperty(_:_:_:_:_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_addproperty(_:_:_:_:_:_:).md)
- [protocol_getName(_:)](objectivec/protocol_getname(_:).md)
- [protocol_isEqual(_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_isequal(_:_:).md)
- [protocol_copyMethodDescriptionList(_:_:_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_copymethoddescriptionlist(_:_:_:_:).md)
- [protocol_getMethodDescription(_:_:_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_getmethoddescription(_:_:_:_:).md)
- [protocol_copyPropertyList(_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_copypropertylist(_:_:).md)
- [protocol_getProperty(_:_:_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_getproperty(_:_:_:_:).md)
- [protocol_copyProtocolList(_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_copyprotocollist(_:_:).md)
- [protocol_conformsToProtocol(_:_:)](objectivec/protocol_conformstoprotocol(_:_:).md)