Apple’s iOS 18 introduced a controversial tweak that limited the refresh rate in Safari to around 80Hz, even on ProMotion-enabled devices capable of 120Hz. This change was likely intended to save battery life but left some users feeling that their scrolling experience was less fluid. Of course, this shortcoming made headlines. Fortunately, there’s a way to unlock the full potential of Safari and bring back the buttery-smooth 120Hz experience.

So without wasting time, here’s how to enable 120Hz in Safari on iOS 18:

  1. Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Find Safari: Scroll down and tap on Safari.
  3. Access Advanced Settings: At the bottom of the Safari settings page, tap on Advanced.
  4. Go to Feature Flags: Inside the Advanced section, locate and select Feature Flags.
  5. Disable Prefer Page Rendering Near 60Hz: Look for the toggle labeled Prefer Page Rendering Near 60Hz and switch it off.

Once you’ve disabled this setting, Safari will use the full 120Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother experience when scrolling through web pages or interacting with dynamic content.

Apple’s decision to cap Safari at 80Hz sparked frustration among users who invested in high-end devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max for their ProMotion displays. While Apple hasn’t directly commented on the limitation, it’s speculated that the move balances performance with power efficiency, especially for long browsing sessions.

Some users who’ve attempted the steps above have confirmed the effectiveness of this tweak. If you’ve been underwhelmed by Safari’s performance on iOS 18, give this tweak a try. It’s a quick fix that delivers a significant improvement for those who value a smooth browsing experience. However, if you’re on iOS 18.1, you might not need to worry about manually enabling 120Hz as some claim that it’s enabled by default. Here’s a video shared by a user who was running an iOS 18.1 beta build for reference:

Nevertheless, users are still in two camps about the whole situation. Some believe that they don’t really need or care for all those extra frames thanks to how Apple handles animations. Others claim that it should be a no-brainer for Apple to enable 120Hz scrolling, especially when they’ve paid a bomb for a “Pro” iPhone.

Let us know your thoughts on the whole 120Hz drama surrounding Safari on iOS 18 in the comments below.

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Dwayne Cubbins
473 Posts

For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.

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