How does KVO notification lifecycle work step-by-step?

Updated May 17, 2026

Short answer

KVO intercepts setter calls and emits pre/post change notifications via runtime subclassing.

Deep explanation

When observing a property, runtime creates a hidden subclass and overrides setter methods. On property change, it calls willChangeValueForKey, sets new value, then calls didChangeValueForKey. Observers are notified asynchronously via registered callbacks.

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