Many iPhone users want to optimize their device's display performance by adjusting the refresh rate. However, not all iPhones allow direct control over refresh rates, and understanding how to manage this setting can be confusing. This guide helps you navigate the options available to change or influence your iPhone's refresh rate for better battery life or smoother visuals.
The iPhone's refresh rate controls how often the screen updates per second, typically 60Hz or 120Hz on ProMotion models. Developers and users adjust this to balance smoothness and battery consumption. This article explains how to check, change, and troubleshoot refresh rate settings on supported iPhones.
What is the iPhone refresh rate and why does it matter?
The iPhone refresh rate is the number of times the screen updates its image per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate like 120Hz means the display refreshes 120 times per second, resulting in smoother animations and scrolling. Lower rates like 60Hz consume less battery but may feel less fluid.
Apple introduced ProMotion technology starting with the iPhone 13 Pro series, allowing dynamic refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz depending on content. This adaptive refresh rate helps balance smoothness and battery life automatically. Understanding this helps you decide if and how you want to change or influence your iPhone's refresh rate.
For iPhones without ProMotion, the refresh rate is fixed at 60Hz, so changing it is not possible. For ProMotion models, you can indirectly control refresh rate behavior through settings like Low Power Mode or Accessibility options.
Which iPhone models support changing the refresh rate?
Only iPhone models with ProMotion displays support variable refresh rates. These include:
- iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max: First iPhones with ProMotion, supporting 10Hz to 120Hz refresh rates.
- iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max: Continued ProMotion support with adaptive refresh rates.
Older iPhones and non-Pro models have fixed 60Hz displays. Therefore, changing the refresh rate is not possible on those devices. If you want to adjust refresh rate for battery savings or smoother visuals, you need one of the ProMotion-supported iPhones.
Even on ProMotion iPhones, Apple does not provide a direct toggle to set a fixed refresh rate. Instead, the system dynamically adjusts it based on usage. However, you can influence refresh rate behavior using system settings and developer tools.
How do you check your iPhone's current refresh rate?
iOS does not provide a built-in setting to display the current refresh rate in real time. However, you can check it indirectly or use developer tools.
One way is to enable the "Show Refresh Rate" option in the Developer Settings, but this requires a Mac and Xcode:
1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac with Xcode installed. 2. Open Xcode and go to Window > Devices and Simulators. 3. Select your device and enable Developer Mode. 4. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Developer and enable "Show Refresh Rate." This overlay shows the current refresh rate on the screen in real time, helping you verify if ProMotion is active or if the refresh rate is lowered.
For most users, knowing the exact refresh rate is less important than understanding how system settings affect it, which this guide covers.
How do you change the iPhone refresh rate?
Apple does not provide a direct setting to manually fix the refresh rate on iPhones with ProMotion displays. However, you can influence refresh rate behavior through these methods:
- Enable Low Power Mode: This reduces the refresh rate to save battery, often locking it near 60Hz.
- Use Accessibility settings: Some settings like Reduce Motion can affect animation smoothness but do not directly change refresh rate.
- Third-party apps or jailbreak: Not recommended due to security risks and instability.
To enable Low Power Mode:
Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode (toggle on)This setting reduces background activity and lowers the refresh rate to conserve battery. The screen will refresh at 60Hz instead of 120Hz on ProMotion devices.
Currently, Apple does not allow users to set a fixed refresh rate manually. The system dynamically adjusts it for optimal performance and battery life.
Step-by-step guide to change iPhone refresh rate using Low Power Mode
Step 1: Open the Settings app
Locate and tap the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen. This is where you manage system preferences including battery and display options.
Step 2: Navigate to Battery settings
Scroll down and tap on the "Battery" option. This section provides battery usage stats and power management features.
Step 3: Enable Low Power Mode
Find the "Low Power Mode" toggle and switch it on. This reduces background activity and lowers the refresh rate to approximately 60Hz on ProMotion devices.
Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode (toggle on)Enabling Low Power Mode forces the iPhone to limit refresh rate and other power-consuming features, extending battery life at the cost of some smoothness.
Step 4: Verify the change (optional)
If you have Developer Mode enabled, you can see the refresh rate overlay on the screen. Otherwise, you can notice less smooth scrolling and animations, indicating the refresh rate is capped.
Step 5: Disable Low Power Mode to restore refresh rate
When you want full 120Hz performance back, simply toggle off Low Power Mode in the Battery settings or Control Center.
What are common iPhone refresh rate errors and how do you fix them?
- Refresh rate stuck at 60Hz on ProMotion iPhones: This usually happens when Low Power Mode is enabled. Disable it to restore 120Hz refresh rate.
- Screen flickering or jittery animations: Could be caused by software bugs. Restart your iPhone or update iOS to the latest version.
- Developer Mode not showing refresh rate overlay: Ensure your device is connected to Xcode and Developer Mode is enabled properly.
- Battery draining faster than expected: High refresh rates consume more power. Use Low Power Mode or reduce brightness to save battery.
If problems persist, resetting all settings or contacting Apple Support may help resolve hardware or software issues.
What are best practices when changing iPhone refresh rate?
- Use Low Power Mode for battery savings: Enable it when you need longer battery life, accepting a lower refresh rate.
- Keep iOS updated: Apple improves ProMotion performance and fixes bugs in software updates.
- Avoid third-party tweaks: Jailbreaking or unauthorized apps can harm device stability and security.
- Monitor battery health: High refresh rates can impact battery longevity over time.
- Use Developer Mode only if necessary: It’s intended for developers and may expose debug information.
What prerequisites are required for changing iPhone refresh rate?
- Compatible iPhone model: You need an iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 Pro, or 14 Pro Max with ProMotion display.
- iOS version: Ensure your device runs iOS 15 or later for ProMotion support and Low Power Mode features.
- Basic iPhone navigation skills: Ability to open Settings and toggle system options.
- Optional Developer Mode setup: Requires a Mac with Xcode to enable refresh rate overlay for monitoring.
FAQ
Can I manually set a fixed refresh rate on my iPhone?
No, Apple does not allow manual fixed refresh rate settings. The system dynamically adjusts refresh rate on ProMotion iPhones for optimal performance and battery life.
Does enabling Low Power Mode reduce the refresh rate?
Yes, Low Power Mode lowers the refresh rate to around 60Hz on ProMotion iPhones to save battery life.
Will changing the refresh rate affect battery life?
Higher refresh rates like 120Hz consume more battery. Lowering the refresh rate can extend battery life but may reduce smoothness.
How can I see the current refresh rate on my iPhone?
You can enable a refresh rate overlay via Developer Mode using Xcode on a Mac, which shows the real-time refresh rate on screen.
Are there any risks in trying to change the refresh rate?
Using unauthorized apps or jailbreaking to change refresh rates can cause instability, security risks, and void warranties. Stick to official settings.
Changing the iPhone refresh rate is mostly about managing system settings like Low Power Mode on supported ProMotion models. While you cannot manually set a fixed refresh rate, you can influence it to balance smoothness and battery life. Understanding your device’s capabilities and using recommended settings helps optimize performance.
Developers and users should use Low Power Mode to reduce refresh rates when needed and keep iOS updated for best results. Avoid risky tweaks and monitor battery health to maintain a smooth and reliable iPhone experience.