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10 Tech How-To

How to Turn Off Promotion on iPhone 13

Guide 10-7923 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to disable ProMotion, the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate feature on iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Turning it off locks the display to 60Hz, which can save battery life and reduce motion if you find the higher refresh rate distracting. You don’t need any special tools—just your iPhone and a few taps in Settings.

What You’ll Need

  • iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max (ProMotion is only available on these models)
  • iOS 15 or later (the setting is available in all versions that support iPhone 13)
  • Your passcode or Face ID (only if you need to change accessibility settings)

Step-by-Step

  1. Unlock your iPhone and go to the Settings app (the gray gear icon).
  2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap Motion (under the “Vision� section).
  4. Look for the switch labeled Limit Frame Rate. Tap the switch to turn it on (it will turn green).
  5. Your iPhone will immediately lock the display to 60Hz, effectively disabling ProMotion.
  6. To re-enable ProMotion later, simply go back to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and turn off Limit Frame Rate.

That’s it. There is no separate “ProMotion� toggle in the main Settings menu—Apple hides it under Accessibility, so this is the only way to turn it off without a computer.

Common Mistakes

  • Looking for a “ProMotionâ€� switch: Many users search Settings for “ProMotionâ€� and find nothing. Apple doesn’t label the setting that way; you must use “Limit Frame Rate.â€�
  • Turning off “Reduce Motionâ€� instead: Reduce Motion only disables parallax and zoom effects (like the app open animation). It does NOT change the refresh rate. You need “Limit Frame Rate.â€�
  • Assuming the setting is in Display & Brightness: Some Android phones have refresh rate toggles in display settings, but iPhone 13 Pro does not. It’s only in Accessibility.
  • Forgetting that this affects all apps: Limit Frame Rate locks the entire system to 60Hz, not just certain apps. If you only want to disable 120Hz in a specific game, you’ll need to check that game’s own settings.

Tips

  • Battery life: ProMotion is adaptive, meaning it drops to as low as 10Hz when you’re reading static text. In everyday use, the battery savings from turning it off are usually modest—maybe 10-15% extra in heavy use, but less in light use. If you’re trying to stretch battery, consider lowering screen brightness first.
  • Motion sensitivity: If you experience eye strain or dizziness from the 120Hz “smoothâ€� scrolling, limiting to 60Hz can make the screen feel more like older iPhones and reduce discomfort.
  • Use AssistiveTouch shortcut: If you toggle this often, you can add “Limit Frame Rateâ€� to the Accessibility Shortcut (Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut) so you can triple-click the side button to quickly switch between 120Hz and 60Hz.
  • Check if it’s working: After enabling Limit Frame Rate, scroll through a long webpage. If the motion feels slightly less fluid (like on a standard iPhone), it’s working.

Troubleshooting

  • The switch is grayed out or won’t toggle: This is extremely rare, but if it happens, restart your iPhone (press and hold the side button and volume up, then slide to power off). If it persists, check for a software update under Settings > General > Software Update.
  • I turned it on but the screen still feels 120Hz: Make sure you’re looking at the correct switch. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and confirm “Limit Frame Rateâ€� is green. Also, note that some videos (like 120fps slow-mo) will still play at their native frame rate—this setting only affects the interface and UI animations.
  • I can’t find Accessibility: It’s in the main Settings menu, about halfway down the list. If you don’t see it, you might be on an older iOS version—update to iOS 15 or later.
  • Battery drains faster after turning it off: That’s not typical. If you see a big change, check Battery usage in Settings > Battery to see if an app is misbehaving. Limit Frame Rate should not cause extra drain; in fact, it usually reduces it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off ProMotion void my warranty?

No. This is a standard software setting. It doesn’t affect your hardware or warranty in any way.

Will I lose the always-on display (if I have an iPhone 14 Pro)?

This guide is for iPhone 13, which doesn’t have an always-on display. On iPhone 14 Pro and later, Limit Frame Rate also locks the always-on display to 60Hz, but it still works.

Can I set ProMotion to 90Hz instead of 60 or 120?

No. Apple only offers two options: adaptive (10-120Hz) or fixed 60Hz. There’s no 90Hz option in iOS.

Does turning off ProMotion affect gaming performance?

Games that support 120fps will be capped at 60fps, which may feel less smooth but can reduce heat and battery drain. Some games may also run at lower frame rates if they are CPU-bound.

Is ProMotion the same as “True Tone�?

No. True Tone adjusts white balance to match ambient light. ProMotion is about refresh rate. They are separate settings.

Will this setting reset after a software update?

Usually not. Your settings are preserved across updates. If it does reset, just re-enable it using the same steps.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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