Many iPhone users want to adjust their screen's refresh rate, also known as hertz, to improve battery life or enjoy smoother animations. However, not all iPhones support changing the refresh rate, and the option can be hidden in settings. This guide solves the problem by explaining how to check your iPhone model's capabilities and how to change the refresh rate if possible.
The refresh rate determines how many times per second your screen updates. iPhones with ProMotion technology offer adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Changing the hertz can help balance performance and battery life. This article explains what refresh rate is, which iPhones support it, and how to adjust it through settings or developer options.
What is refresh rate (hertz) on an iPhone?
The refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), is the number of times your iPhone's screen updates its image per second. A higher refresh rate, such as 120Hz, means smoother animations and scrolling, improving the visual experience. Lower refresh rates, like 60Hz, consume less battery but may feel less fluid.
Apple introduced ProMotion technology starting with the iPhone 13 Pro series, enabling adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz. This means the iPhone dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on the content displayed to optimize battery life and performance. For example, static images use a lower refresh rate, while gaming or scrolling uses a higher one.
Understanding refresh rate helps you decide if changing it is beneficial. While most iPhones run at a fixed 60Hz, ProMotion-enabled models allow variable refresh rates. However, Apple does not provide a direct user setting to manually lock the refresh rate. Instead, it is managed automatically by iOS.
Which iPhone models support changing hertz?
Only iPhones with ProMotion displays support adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. These models include:
- iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
Older iPhones and non-Pro models have fixed 60Hz refresh rates and do not support changing hertz. The ProMotion technology allows the refresh rate to vary dynamically, but Apple does not offer a built-in toggle to manually set a fixed refresh rate.
Developers and advanced users can use certain developer tools or third-party apps to simulate or lock refresh rates, but these are not officially supported and may require jailbreaking or special configurations. For most users, the refresh rate is automatically optimized by iOS.
What prerequisites are required for changing hertz on iPhone?
- Compatible iPhone model: You need an iPhone 13 Pro or newer Pro model with ProMotion display to access variable refresh rates.
- iOS version: Ensure your iPhone runs iOS 15 or later, as ProMotion support started with iOS 15.
- Basic settings knowledge: Familiarity with the Settings app and Display options helps you navigate refresh rate controls.
- Developer mode (optional): For advanced refresh rate locking, enabling Developer Mode may be necessary, which requires a developer account.
How do you change the refresh rate (hertz) on an iPhone?
Apple does not provide a direct setting to manually change or lock the refresh rate on ProMotion iPhones. However, you can influence refresh rate behavior by enabling or disabling certain settings.
To reduce the refresh rate and save battery, you can enable Low Power Mode, which limits the refresh rate to 60Hz. To do this:
1. Open Settings app 2. Tap Battery 3. Toggle on Low Power ModeThis forces the iPhone to run at 60Hz, reducing power consumption but lowering smoothness.
Alternatively, you can enable Reduce Motion to limit animations, indirectly affecting refresh rate perception:
1. Open Settings app 2. Tap Accessibility 3. Tap Motion 4. Toggle on Reduce MotionThis reduces animation effects but does not directly change the refresh rate.
For developers, iOS 16 and later offer a hidden developer option to disable ProMotion and lock the refresh rate at 60Hz:
1. Enable Developer Mode on your iPhone 2. Open Settings 3. Go to Developer 4. Find and toggle off ProMotionThis option is only available on supported devices and requires Developer Mode enabled.
Step-by-step guide to change hertz on iPhone
Step 1: Check your iPhone model
First, confirm if your iPhone supports ProMotion technology. Go to Settings > General > About and check the model name. Only iPhone 13 Pro or newer Pro models support variable refresh rates.
Step 2: Enable Low Power Mode to limit refresh rate
Low Power Mode reduces the refresh rate to 60Hz to save battery. Open Settings, tap Battery, and toggle on Low Power Mode. This is the easiest way to change refresh rate behavior without developer tools.
Step 3: Use Reduce Motion to limit animations
To reduce motion effects, open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Motion, and toggle on Reduce Motion. This setting reduces animation smoothness but does not directly change the refresh rate.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode (optional)
If you want to manually lock the refresh rate, enable Developer Mode by connecting your iPhone to a Mac with Xcode and following Apple's developer instructions. This step requires a developer account.
Step 5: Disable ProMotion in Developer settings
Once Developer Mode is enabled, open Settings, go to Developer, and toggle off ProMotion to lock the refresh rate at 60Hz. This option is only available on supported devices and iOS versions.
Step 6: Restart your iPhone
After changing settings, restart your iPhone to apply changes fully. This ensures the refresh rate lock or Low Power Mode effects take place correctly.
What are common errors when changing hertz on iPhone and how do you fix them?
- Option to disable ProMotion missing: This occurs if Developer Mode is not enabled or your iPhone model does not support ProMotion. Fix by verifying your model and enabling Developer Mode properly.
- Low Power Mode not reducing refresh rate: Sometimes Low Power Mode may not immediately affect refresh rate. Restart your iPhone to ensure settings apply.
- Battery drains faster after disabling ProMotion: Locking the refresh rate at 120Hz can increase battery use. Re-enable Low Power Mode or ProMotion to balance battery life.
- Developer Mode not enabling: Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later and you have a valid developer account linked via Xcode.
- Screen flickering or stuttering: This can happen if refresh rate settings conflict with app requirements. Restart the device or disable custom refresh rate locks.
What are best practices when changing hertz on iPhone?
- Use Low Power Mode for battery saving: Enable Low Power Mode to reduce refresh rate and extend battery life during heavy usage.
- Avoid locking refresh rate unnecessarily: Let iOS manage refresh rate dynamically for optimal performance and battery balance.
- Enable Developer Mode cautiously: Only enable Developer Mode if you understand the risks and have a developer account.
- Restart after changes: Always restart your iPhone after changing refresh rate settings to ensure proper application.
- Monitor battery and performance: Track battery usage and smoothness after changing refresh rate to find the best balance for your needs.
Conclusion
Changing the hertz or refresh rate on an iPhone is mostly relevant for ProMotion-enabled models like the iPhone 13 Pro and newer. While Apple does not provide a simple toggle to manually set the refresh rate, you can influence it by enabling Low Power Mode or using Developer Mode to lock it at 60Hz. Understanding your iPhone model and iOS version is essential before attempting changes.
Developers and advanced users have more control through Developer Mode, but most users should rely on iOS's adaptive refresh rate for the best balance of smoothness and battery life. Use the best practices outlined here to safely adjust refresh rate behavior and troubleshoot common issues.
FAQ
Can I manually set my iPhone's refresh rate to 120Hz?
Only ProMotion iPhones support 120Hz refresh rates, but Apple does not offer a direct setting to manually lock 120Hz. The refresh rate adjusts automatically based on content.
Does enabling Low Power Mode change the iPhone's refresh rate?
Yes, Low Power Mode limits the refresh rate to 60Hz to save battery life, which can reduce smoothness but extend usage time.
Which iPhone models have ProMotion displays?
iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, and 15 Pro series have ProMotion displays supporting adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.
Is Developer Mode required to change refresh rate on iPhone?
Developer Mode is needed to access the hidden option to disable ProMotion and lock the refresh rate, but it requires a developer account and is not recommended for most users.
Will changing the refresh rate affect battery life?
Yes, higher refresh rates consume more battery. Lowering the refresh rate or enabling Low Power Mode can help improve battery life on ProMotion iPhones.