How to Unlock Smoother Safari Scrolling on iPhone with 120Hz Refresh Rate


For a long time, iPhones were praised for software polish—but not for display smoothness. Apple didn’t introduce high refresh rate screens until 2021 with the iPhone 13 Pro, and only much later expanded its ProMotion technology to non-Pro models.

Even today, many iPhone users notice that animations don’t always feel consistently fluid. Unlocking the phone, scrolling through call logs, or searching via Spotlight can occasionally feel less smooth than expected. However, the app where this issue stands out the most for many users is Safari.

If Safari scrolling has ever felt slightly jittery on your iPhone, the reason might surprise you.

Why Safari Still Feels Choppy on Some iPhones

Even on iPhones equipped with 120Hz ProMotion displays, Safari doesn’t always use the full refresh rate. By default, most webpages are rendered at 60 frames per second, which can make scrolling feel noticeably less fluid—especially on long, text-heavy websites.

At 60Hz, the display refreshes every 16.7 milliseconds. At 120Hz, that drops to 8.3 milliseconds, allowing content to update twice as fast. The difference is subtle on paper but instantly noticeable in real-world scrolling.

A Quick Note on Optimizing Your Digital Experience

Smooth performance isn’t only about how fluid your screen feels, it’s also about how efficiently your data is handled when you upgrade, switch devices, or reorganize your phone.

This is where Smart Transfer, a third-party transfer app, fits naturally into the experience. Whether you’re moving files between phones or trying to merge contact in Android, using a reliable transfer app can simplify tasks that often feel unnecessarily complicated with built-in tools alone. Smart Transfer focuses on wireless file sharing and contact management, helping users keep their data organized while transitioning between devices.

Check Your Safari Refresh Rate

If you’re curious, you can test Safari’s refresh rate by opening a refresh rate test website directly in Safari. Without changing any settings, most users will see Safari capped at 60Hz—even on iPhones capable of higher refresh rates.

This limitation isn’t due to hardware. It’s controlled by a hidden Safari setting.

Which iPhones Support 120Hz Safari Browsing?

To enable smoother Safari scrolling, your iPhone must support ProMotion. Compatible devices include:

  • iPhone 13 Pro and later Pro models

  • All models in the iPhone 17 lineup

If your iPhone doesn’t support ProMotion, Safari will remain limited to 60Hz.

How to Enable 120Hz Browsing in Safari on iPhone

Apple hides this option deep within Safari’s advanced settings. Here’s how to enable it:

Step 1: Open Safari Settings

Go to Settings > Apps > Safari.

Step 2: Tap Advanced

Scroll down and select Advanced at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: Open Feature Flags

Inside Advanced, tap Feature Flags.

Step 4: Disable the 60fps Preference

Find “Prefer Page Rendering Updates near 60fps” and toggle it off.

This allows Safari to render webpages at the full 120Hz refresh rate on supported devices.

Step 5: Relaunch Safari

Close Safari completely using the App Switcher, then reopen it to apply the change.

Once enabled, scrolling should feel immediately smoother. You can confirm the improvement using the same refresh rate test website.

Will This Affect Battery Life?

Forcing Safari to run at 120Hz can slightly increase battery usage, particularly during long browsing sessions. If battery life becomes a concern, you can turn the feature off again or balance it with other battery-saving settings.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s displays are already capable of incredible smoothness—but some of that performance is locked behind hidden settings. Enabling 120Hz browsing in Safari unlocks a noticeably more fluid experience, especially for users who spend hours reading, researching, or scrolling daily.

Paired with smarter data handling through a reliable transfer app, small optimizations like this can make your overall smartphone experience feel faster, cleaner, and more refined.


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