Where to find refresh rate settings on your Mac

Your Mac's refresh rate lives in System Settings under the Displays panel. Open System Settings, click Displays, then look for a dropdown menu labeled "Refresh rate" — but only if your Mac and monitor support variable refresh rates. Not all Macs offer this option: M1 and M2 MacBook Airs, base MacBook Pros, and Mac minis do not have refresh rate controls. If you do not see a Refresh rate dropdown, your hardware does not support the feature.

The refresh rate you choose depends on what you are doing. Higher refresh rates (120 Hz or more) make scrolling and cursor movement feel smoother but use more battery power on laptops. Lower rates (60 Hz) are the standard and use less power. Most people notice no practical difference between 60 Hz and higher rates during everyday work like email and web browsing.

Key Takeaways

  • Refresh rate settings appear in System Settings > Displays only on newer Mac models with compatible displays, not on all Macs.
  • Higher refresh rates (120 Hz or more) drain laptop batteries faster but make scrolling appear smoother.
  • 60 Hz is the standard refresh rate and works well for most tasks like writing, email, and web browsing.
  • External monitors connected to your Mac may have their own refresh rate controls separate from your Mac's settings.

Step-by-step: changing refresh rate on a MacBook or Mac with built-in display

Start by opening System Settings. You can do this by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings, or by using Spotlight (Command + Space, then type "System Settings").

Once System Settings opens, click Displays in the left sidebar. If you have multiple displays connected, you may see a list of them — select the one you want to adjust. Look for the Refresh rate dropdown menu. Click it and choose your preferred rate from the available options. Your Mac will explore the change when ready; you do not need to restart.

If the Refresh rate dropdown does not appear, your Mac model does not support variable refresh rates. This is normal on older Macs and entry-level models. You can still use your Mac normally — it will straightforward run at its fixed refresh rate.

Using an external monitor with your Mac

External monitors often have their own refresh rate settings separate from your Mac's display settings. If you have plugged in an external display and want to change its refresh rate, check the monitor's physical buttons or on-screen menu first. Most external monitors have a menu button on the bottom or side that opens settings for brightness, contrast, and refresh rate.

You can also adjust refresh rate through your Mac's System Settings. Connect the external monitor, open System Settings > Displays, select the external monitor from the list, and look for the Refresh rate dropdown. If your monitor supports higher refresh rates, they will appear in this menu. Not all external monitors support variable refresh rates — older or budget models may be locked at 60 Hz.

Which Mac models support refresh rate changes

Macs with M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips support refresh rate controls. This includes the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from late 2023 onward, and the Mac Studio with M2 Max or later. The Mac mini with M4 also supports it. If your Mac has an older Intel processor or an M1 or M2 chip, refresh rate controls are not available.

For external displays, your Mac's ability to output higher refresh rates depends on the cable and port you use. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports support higher refresh rates better than USB-C ports. HDMI connections are limited to 60 Hz on most Macs. If you want to use a high-refresh-rate monitor, check that your Mac has a compatible port and that you are using the right cable.

Why your Mac might not show a refresh rate option

The most common reason is that your Mac model does not have the hardware to support variable refresh rates. M1 and M2 MacBook Airs, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2, and the Mac mini with M1 or M2 are locked at 60 Hz. This is a hardware limitation, not a software one, so no update will add the feature.

If you have a compatible Mac but still do not see the Refresh rate dropdown, restart your Mac and check again. Sometimes the option takes a moment to appear after connecting a new display. If you are using an external monitor, make sure it is properly connected and that your Mac recognizes it — you should see it listed in the Displays panel.

Battery impact of higher refresh rates on laptops

Running your MacBook at 120 Hz instead of 60 Hz uses noticeably more battery. Apple does not publish exact figures, but users typically see 10 to 20 percent shorter battery life when using higher refresh rates. If you are working near a power outlet or docked at a desk, this is not a concern. If you are working on battery power and need your MacBook to last through the day, stick with 60 Hz.

You can also use a middle ground: set your refresh rate to 60 Hz for everyday work and battery-dependent situations, then switch to 120 Hz when you are plugged in and doing tasks like video editing or design work where the smoother motion is more noticeable. The change takes effect when ready, so you can adjust it as often as you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher refresh rate make my Mac faster?

No. Refresh rate only affects how smoothly the display updates, not how fast your Mac processes information. A 120 Hz display will not make apps open faster or files load quicker. It makes scrolling and cursor movement appear smoother, but this is a visual difference, not a performance one.

Can I change the refresh rate on a Mac connected to a TV?

It depends on the TV and the cable you use. Most TVs connected via HDMI are locked at 60 Hz. If your TV supports higher refresh rates and you have a compatible Mac with a Thunderbolt port, you may be able to use a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter to access higher rates, but this is not may provide. Check your TV's manual to see what refresh rates it supports.

What refresh rate should I use for video editing?

For video editing, 60 Hz is standard and sufficient. Higher refresh rates do not improve editing performance or accuracy. If your Mac supports 120 Hz and you are plugged in, you can use it for a smoother experience while scrubbing through timelines, but it is not necessary for the work itself.

Will changing refresh rate affect my Mac's performance or heat?

Higher refresh rates use slightly more power and can generate a small amount of additional heat, but the difference is minimal on modern Macs. You will not notice your Mac running hot or slowing down because of a refresh rate change. The main trade-off is battery life on laptops.