Ever scrolled through your iPad and wished everything felt a little smoother? Like butter on a hot pan, effortlessly gliding? That feeling of super-responsive taps, lightning-fast animations, and incredibly fluid drawing with your Apple Pencil? You're probably thinking about refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate means the screen updates more times per second, resulting in a significantly more fluid and visually appealing experience.
But here's the crucial thing: can you actually "increase" the Hz on your iPad? The answer isn't as simple as flipping a switch. It depends heavily on which iPad model you own. This guide will dive deep into understanding refresh rates on iPads, what Apple's "ProMotion" technology is all about, and whether your iPad is capable of delivering that buttery-smooth 120Hz experience.
Understanding Refresh Rate and ProMotion
Before we jump into any "how-to" steps, let's clarify what we're talking about.
What is Refresh Rate (Hz)?
Imagine your iPad screen as a series of still images flashing by. The refresh rate is how many times per second that screen updates these images.
- A 60Hz display updates 60 times per second.
- A 120Hz display updates 120 times per second.
The more updates per second, the smoother the motion appears to your eyes. This is particularly noticeable when scrolling, playing fast-paced games, or drawing with a stylus.
What is Apple's ProMotion Technology?
Apple has its own special name for high refresh rate displays on its devices: ProMotion. This isn't just a fancy marketing term; ProMotion displays are adaptive. This means they can dynamically adjust their refresh rate based on what you're doing.
- When you're scrolling through a webpage or playing a game, the display can ramp up to 120Hz for maximum fluidity.
- When you're reading a static e-book or watching a movie at 24 frames per second (fps), the display can drop to a much lower refresh rate (e.g., 24Hz or even 10Hz) to conserve battery life.
This intelligent adjustment is a key advantage of ProMotion, giving you the best of both worlds: smoothness when you need it and efficiency when you don't.
Step 1: Discover If Your iPad Supports Higher Hz (ProMotion)
This is the most critical first step. Not all iPads are created equal when it comes to refresh rate. If your iPad doesn't have a ProMotion display, you simply cannot "increase" its refresh rate beyond its default (usually 60Hz).
Engage with me here: Do you already know if your iPad model has ProMotion? If not, let's find out together!
Sub-heading: Identifying ProMotion-Enabled iPads
Apple's ProMotion technology is exclusive to its iPad Pro lineup. Here's a quick guide:
- iPad Pro Models: All iPad Pro models released since 2017 (including the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation and later, and all generations of the 11-inch iPad Pro) feature ProMotion displays with up to 120Hz refresh rates. This includes the latest M4 iPad Pro models.
- iPad Air: No, iPad Air models do not have 120Hz ProMotion displays. They are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate.
- iPad mini: No, iPad mini models do not have 120Hz ProMotion displays. They are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate.
- Standard iPad (iPad 9th, 10th Gen, etc.): No, the standard iPad models also do not have 120Hz ProMotion displays. They operate at 60Hz.
In essence: If it's not an iPad Pro, it doesn't have 120Hz ProMotion.
Sub-heading: How to Check Your iPad Model
If you're unsure which iPad model you have, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on About.
- Look for "Model Name." This will tell you exactly which iPad you own (e.g., "iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)"). You can then cross-reference this with Apple's specifications online or the list above to confirm if it has ProMotion.
Take a moment now to check your iPad model! This information is vital for the next steps.
Step 2: Enabling 120Hz on ProMotion-Enabled iPads (It's Usually On by Default!)
If you've confirmed your iPad is an iPad Pro model (meaning it has ProMotion), here's the good news: 120Hz is typically enabled by default!
Apple designs ProMotion to work seamlessly in the background. The iPad will automatically adjust to 120Hz when suitable (like scrolling or gaming) and reduce it when not needed to save battery. You generally don't need to "turn on" 120Hz manually.
Sub-heading: How to Ensure 120Hz is Not Limited
While 120Hz is usually active, there's one specific setting that can limit the frame rate to 60Hz, often for battery saving or accessibility reasons. If you suspect your iPad Pro isn't feeling as smooth as it should, check this setting:
-
Open the Settings app.
-
Tap on Accessibility.
-
Scroll down and tap on Motion.
-
Look for the option called Limit Frame Rate.
- If Limit Frame Rate is OFF, your iPad Pro is running at its full adaptive 120Hz (ProMotion) capability. This is the desired state for maximum smoothness.
- If Limit Frame Rate is ON, your iPad Pro's display will be limited to a maximum of 60 frames per second. If you want the 120Hz experience, make sure this toggle is off.
Remember: Turning "Limit Frame Rate" OFF is the key to unlocking the full 120Hz potential of your ProMotion iPad.
Sub-heading: The Role of Low Power Mode
Another factor that can temporarily limit your iPad Pro's refresh rate to 60Hz is Low Power Mode.
- When Low Power Mode is activated (either manually or automatically when your battery is low), it conserves power by reducing various system functions, including the screen refresh rate on ProMotion displays.
- If you want to experience the full 120Hz, ensure Low Power Mode is disabled.
You can check and disable Low Power Mode by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. You can also quickly toggle it from Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen).
Step 3: Experiencing the Difference
Once you've confirmed your iPad Pro has ProMotion and the "Limit Frame Rate" setting is off, it's time to experience the difference.
Sub-heading: Apps and Activities Where 120Hz Shines
You'll most noticeably feel the higher refresh rate in these scenarios:
- Scrolling: Whether it's web pages in Safari, long documents, or your social media feed, scrolling will appear incredibly smooth and fluid.
- Gaming: Many games, especially those designed for higher frame rates, will feel significantly more responsive and immersive. Look for games that advertise 120fps support.
- Apple Pencil Usage: Drawing, writing, and navigating with the Apple Pencil will have almost no perceptible lag, making it feel more like pen on paper. This is one of the most celebrated benefits of ProMotion for artists and note-takers.
- Animations: System animations, like opening and closing apps, switching between them, and using multitasking features, will all look much smoother.
Sub-heading: Why You Might Not Always Notice It
It's important to understand that you won't always see your iPad Pro running at a full 120Hz. As mentioned, ProMotion is adaptive.
- If you're watching a standard 24fps movie, the display will intelligently drop to 24Hz to match the content's frame rate and prevent "judder" (a subtle stuttering effect).
- If you're looking at a static image or reading a document, the refresh rate will be lowered to conserve battery.
- Some older apps or content might simply not be optimized to run at higher frame rates, even on a 120Hz display.
The beauty of ProMotion is that it handles these adjustments automatically, giving you the best possible experience without manual intervention.
Troubleshooting Common Questions & Misconceptions
"My iPad Pro feels slow/choppy, even with ProMotion!"
If you have an iPad Pro and it doesn't feel smooth, double-check:
- Limit Frame Rate setting: Is it off? (Settings > Accessibility > Motion)
- Low Power Mode: Is it off? (Settings > Battery)
- App Specifics: Is the app you're using optimized for 120Hz? Some apps may be capped at 60Hz by their developers.
- Overall Performance: Is your iPad suffering from general performance issues (e.g., lack of storage, too many background apps)? A slow iPad won't magically become smooth just because of a high refresh rate. Try restarting your iPad.
"Can I force my non-Pro iPad to 120Hz?"
No. Hardware limitations prevent non-Pro iPads (iPad Air, iPad mini, standard iPad) from achieving a 120Hz refresh rate. Their displays are physically designed for 60Hz. There are no software hacks or jailbreaks that can change this fundamental hardware characteristic.
Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my iPad has ProMotion technology?
You can check your iPad model name in Settings > General > About. If it's an "iPad Pro" model released in 2017 or later, it has ProMotion.
How to enable 120Hz on my iPad?
On iPad Pro models, 120Hz (ProMotion) is usually enabled by default. Ensure "Limit Frame Rate" is OFF in Settings > Accessibility > Motion, and that Low Power Mode is OFF.
How to turn off 120Hz on iPad Pro?
To limit your iPad Pro to 60Hz, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggle "Limit Frame Rate" to ON. Enabling Low Power Mode will also temporarily limit the refresh rate to 60Hz.
How to know if an app supports 120Hz on iPad?
There's no definitive built-in way to check. Generally, fluid animations, smooth scrolling, and responsive gameplay are indicators. Developers often specify 120fps support in app descriptions for games.
How to improve gaming performance on my iPad?
Ensure "Limit Frame Rate" and Low Power Mode are off (if you have an iPad Pro). Close background apps, ensure good Wi-Fi/cellular connection, and keep your iPad updated.
How to get smoother scrolling on my iPad?
If you have an iPad Pro, ensure "Limit Frame Rate" is off. If you have a non-Pro iPad, 60Hz is its maximum, but you can ensure smooth performance by closing unnecessary background apps and updating iPadOS.
How to conserve battery life while using a high refresh rate iPad?
ProMotion is adaptive and saves battery by lowering the refresh rate for static content. You can also enable Low Power Mode, which will limit the refresh rate to 60Hz.
How to test the refresh rate on my iPad?
While there isn't a native iPad setting to display the current refresh rate, you can visit specific "frame rate test" websites (like UFO Test) using Safari. Note: Safari itself may be capped at 60Hz for certain web content, so tests might not always show the full 120Hz even on a ProMotion iPad. The best test is simply using an app that supports it (like a fast-paced game or Procreate with Apple Pencil).
How to differentiate between 60Hz and 120Hz visually?
The difference is most apparent in fast motion, like scrolling. On a 120Hz display, text and images remain clearer and less blurry during scrolling compared to a 60Hz display. You can often see the individual frames more clearly on a 60Hz screen during quick movements.
How to optimize my iPad for best visual experience?
Beyond refresh rate (for Pro models), ensure your iPadOS is up to date, close unnecessary apps, and maintain sufficient storage. Also, calibrate your display if options are available (e.g., True Tone, Night Shift).