---
title: "SecKeychainItemDelete(_:)"
framework: security
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
path: "security/seckeychainitemdelete(_:)"
---

# SecKeychainItemDelete(_:)

Deletes a keychain item from the default keychain’s permanent data store.

## Declaration

```swift
func SecKeychainItemDelete(_ itemRef: SecKeychainItem) -> OSStatus
```

## Parameters

- `itemRef`: A keychain item object of the item to delete. You must call the CFRelease function to release this object when you are finished using it.

## Return Value

Return Value A result code. See Security Framework Result Codes.

## Discussion

Discussion If the keychain item has not previously been added to the keychain, this function does nothing and returns noErr. Do not delete a keychain item and recreate it in order to modify it; instead, use the SecKeychainItemModifyContent(_:_:_:_:) or SecKeychainItemModifyAttributesAndData(_:_:_:_:) function to modify an existing keychain item. When you delete a keychain item, you lose any access controls and trust settings added by the user or by other applications.