{"id":63125,"date":"2026-01-23T01:47:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=63125"},"modified":"2026-01-23T01:49:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:49:23","slug":"safari-with-120-hz-how-to-activate-smoother-scrolling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/tipps-tricks\/safari-mit-120-hz-so-aktivierst-du-fluessigeres-scrollen","title":{"rendered":"Safari at 120 Hz: How to activate smoother scrolling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Safari is the default browser on iPhone, iPad, and Mac and is deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Despite modern hardware, scrolling in Safari often feels less smooth than expected on many devices. Especially compared to other browsers, movements sometimes appear slightly jerky. The reason for this isn't the device's performance, but a hidden setting that limits Safari to 60 frames per second by default.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple devices with ProMotion displays are technically capable of displaying content at up to 120 Hz. This high refresh rate already provides a very smooth user experience in many system animations. However, Safari doesn't automatically take advantage of this. The full potential can only be unlocked via a hidden menu. Below, we explain in detail why Safari is limited by default, what difference 120 Hz makes, and how to activate the feature on all supported Apple devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

60 Hz vs. 120 Hz when surfing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At a refresh rate of 60 Hz, the screen is updated approximately every 16.7 milliseconds. Any movement, such as scrolling a webpage, remains visible for this duration. At 120 Hz, this interval is halved to around 8.3 milliseconds. Content is redrawn twice as often, resulting in smoother motion. This reduces perceptible blurring and minimizes minor stuttering, especially during fast scrolling or when moving large areas of content. The difference is particularly noticeable on text-heavy websites or pages with many fine details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A direct comparison is possible via the "Motion Tests" website<\/a> from Blur Busters. There, a refresh rate test allows you to see how much 60 Hz and 120 Hz visually differ \u2013 especially in Safari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Safari is limited by default<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Safari renders web pages at a maximum of 60 fps by default, even on devices with ProMotion displays. This limitation ensures more controlled energy consumption and more consistent compatibility with web content. Other browsers sometimes pursue higher frame rates more aggressively, which can subjectively appear smoother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who have never perceived Safari as "strange" or sluggish before may only notice a slight difference after switching. However, anyone who regularly uses Chrome or Firefox on the same device will quickly realize why Safari feels less smooth in comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hidden Feature Flags in Safari<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 120Hz feature is hidden in the so-called Feature Flags. This is an internal settings menu for experimental or optional Safari features. On iPhone and iPad, this menu is directly accessible and doesn't require developer or special mode. On Mac, developer options must be enabled once. It's important to note that a higher refresh rate can increase battery consumption, especially during extended browsing sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activate 120 Hz Safari on iPhone and iPad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Activation is done directly via the system settings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n