Where to find the refresh rate setting on your iPhone
Not all iPhones have a refresh rate setting. Only iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max include the ability to change refresh rate. If you own one of these models, the setting lives in Settings > Display & Brightness > Motion.
When you open Motion, you will see two options: Standard and ProMotion. Standard locks your screen to 60 Hz (60 refreshes per second). ProMotion allows your screen to refresh up to 120 Hz, meaning it updates twice as fast. Your phone automatically switches between speeds depending on what you are doing — it uses 120 Hz for scrolling and gaming, then drops back to 60 Hz or lower when the screen is static to save battery.
If you do not see a Motion option in Display & Brightness, your iPhone model does not support variable refresh rates, and there is no setting to change.
Key Takeaways
- Only iPhone 13 Pro and later Pro models have a refresh rate setting, found in Settings > Display & Brightness > Motion.
- ProMotion (120 Hz) makes scrolling and animations feel smoother but uses more battery than Standard (60 Hz).
- Your iPhone automatically adjusts between speeds depending on the task, so you do not need to switch manually.
- Turning off ProMotion and using Standard mode extends battery life if you are concerned about power drain.
What ProMotion actually does
A higher refresh rate means your screen redraws the image more often each second. At 60 Hz, your screen updates 60 times per second. At 120 Hz, it updates 120 times per second. The result is smoother motion when you scroll through lists, swipe between apps, or play games — the movement looks more fluid because there are twice as many frames being drawn.
You will notice the difference most when scrolling through social media feeds, web pages, or maps. The difference is less noticeable when you are reading static text or looking at a still image, because nothing is moving. This is why your iPhone is smart enough to drop the refresh rate automatically when it is not needed — it saves battery without sacrificing the smoothness you actually see.
How to turn ProMotion on or off
Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap Display & Brightness, then tap Motion. You will see two options: Standard and ProMotion. Tap the one you want to use.
If ProMotion is already on and you want to turn it off, tap Standard. If Standard is on and you want to enable ProMotion, tap ProMotion. Your change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your phone.
There is no middle ground. You cannot set a maximum refresh rate of 90 Hz or lock it at 120 Hz. You choose between letting your phone manage the speed automatically (ProMotion) or keeping it fixed at 60 Hz (Standard).
When to use Standard mode instead of ProMotion
ProMotion uses more battery because your screen is working harder. If your battery is draining faster than usual, or if you are away from a charger for a long time, switching to Standard mode will extend your battery life. The difference is noticeable — some users report 10 to 15 percent longer battery life when using Standard, though this varies depending on how much you scroll and what apps you use.
Standard mode is also a good choice if you are sensitive to motion or if you experience eye strain from high refresh rates. Some people find that 60 Hz feels more comfortable for extended reading or video watching. There is no performance penalty for using Standard — your phone will run just as fast, and apps will open just as quickly. The only difference is that scrolling will feel slightly less smooth.
Why your iPhone might not have this setting
Apple added ProMotion only to the Pro models starting with iPhone 13. If you own an iPhone 13, 14, or 15 (non-Pro), iPhone 12, iPhone 11, or any earlier model, your screen is locked at 60 Hz and there is no way to change it. This is a hardware limitation, not a software one — the screen itself does not support higher refresh rates.
If you are considering upgrading and want ProMotion, you will need to choose a Pro model. The standard iPhone models do not include this feature, and Apple has not announced plans to add it to non-Pro phones.
Troubleshooting: Motion setting is missing or greyed out
If you own an iPhone 13 Pro or later Pro model but do not see the Motion option in Settings > Display & Brightness, restart your phone. Hold down the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
If the Motion option still does not appear after a restart, make sure you are running the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Occasionally, a software bug can hide the setting, and an update will restore it.
If the Motion option is visible but greyed out (you cannot tap it), your battery is extremely low. Charge your phone to at least 20 percent, and the setting should become active again. Apple disables some features when battery is critically low to preserve power.
How ProMotion affects battery and performance
ProMotion does use more power than Standard mode, but the difference is smaller than you might expect because your iPhone is intelligent about when it uses 120 Hz. When you are reading an email or looking at a photo, your screen drops to 60 Hz or even lower automatically. Your phone only uses the higher refresh rate when it detects motion — scrolling, swiping, or gaming.
In real-world use, the battery impact depends on how much you scroll and interact with your phone. Heavy users who scroll constantly may see a noticeable difference. Light users who mostly read and text may see almost no difference. If battery life is your priority, Standard mode guarantees lower power use. If you want the smoothest experience and do not mind charging more often, ProMotion is worth keeping on.
Performance is not affected by your refresh rate choice. Apps run at the same speed, games load at the same speed, and your phone responds to taps just as quickly whether you are using 60 Hz or 120 Hz. The refresh rate only changes how smooth motion looks on your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ProMotion drain my battery significantly?
The battery impact varies. Heavy scrollers may see 10 to 15 percent more drain, while light users may see almost none. Your iPhone automatically drops to 60 Hz when nothing is moving, so static content does not use extra power. If battery life is a concern, switch to Standard mode and monitor whether you notice a real difference in your daily use.
Can I set a refresh rate between 60 and 120 Hz?
No. You can only choose between Standard (60 Hz fixed) and ProMotion (automatic between 60 and 120 Hz). There is no option to lock the refresh rate at 90 Hz or any other value. Your phone handles the switching automatically when ProMotion is on.
Will turning off ProMotion make my iPhone slower?
No. Refresh rate only affects how smooth scrolling and animations look. Apps open, load, and respond at the same speed whether you use 60 Hz or 120 Hz. The only difference is visual — motion will appear slightly less fluid, but performance is identical.
Do I need to restart my phone after changing the refresh rate?
No. Changes to the Motion setting take effect when ready. You can switch between Standard and ProMotion as many times as you want without restarting.
Why does my iPhone sometimes feel slow even with ProMotion on?
Refresh rate is not the same as overall performance. If your phone feels slow, the issue is usually low storage, too many background apps, or low battery mode — not the refresh rate setting. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space you have left, and close unused apps running in the background.