Fix: iPhone ProMotion Stuck at 60Hz After iOS 26

One of the signature features of the iPhone Pro models is the ProMotion display, which delivers an incredibly smooth 120 Hz refresh rate for scrolling and animations. After updating to iOS 26, however, you may notice that your device feels sluggish and that the display is locked at a lower 60 Hz refresh rate. Users on iPhone 15 Pro have confirmed with testing tools that the display is not ramping up as expected, even with all the correct settings enabled, as detailed in this Apple Community discussion. This issue is typically not a hardware failure but rather a software bug or misconfiguration introduced by the recent update. If your iPhone feels generally slow, you might also be experiencing broader performance issues—see how to fix home screen lag.

Why Your iPhone Display is Stuck at 60 Hz

ProMotion technology is adaptive, meaning your iPhone’s display constantly adjusts its refresh rate—from as low as 10 Hz for a static image to as high as 120 Hz for fast motion—to provide a smooth experience while conserving battery life. The operating system is responsible for telling the display when to ramp up to 120 Hz.

Following a major update like iOS 26, a software bug can break this communication. The OS may fail to recognize activities that should trigger the higher refresh rate, leaving the display stuck at a power‑saving 60 Hz. In other cases, a system setting that is designed to limit the frame rate may have been enabled by accident or by a glitch during the update process.

How to Fix ProMotion Not Working

These solutions focus on checking the settings that intentionally limit the frame rate and resolving the software glitches that may be causing the issue.

1. Turn Off Low Power Mode

This is the most common reason for the display being locked at 60 Hz. Low Power Mode is designed to conserve battery, and one of the primary ways it does this is by disabling ProMotion’s 120 Hz capability.

1. Go to Settings > Battery.
2. Ensure the toggle for Low Power Mode is turned off.

If you need finer control over battery usage, consider enabling the adaptive power feature.

2. Check the “Limit Frame Rate” Accessibility Setting

This accessibility feature is designed for users who are sensitive to motion and intentionally caps the display’s refresh rate at 60 Hz. It can sometimes be enabled inadvertently.

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
2. Make sure the toggle for Limit Frame Rate is turned off.

3. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can clear temporary system glitches that might be preventing ProMotion from activating correctly.

1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power‑off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
3. After 30 seconds, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

4. Check for an iOS Update

If the 60 Hz lock is a known bug in the initial release of iOS 26, Apple will likely address it quickly in a follow‑up software update.

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

   

2. If an update is available (e.g., iOS 26.0.1), tap Download and Install.

5. Reset All Settings

This step can resolve deeper software configuration issues without erasing your personal data. It will reset system settings like Wi‑Fi passwords, wallpaper, and privacy settings to their defaults, which can fix a corrupted setting that is limiting the frame rate.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.

   

3. Enter your passcode to confirm. Your iPhone will restart with default settings.

6. Manage Device Temperature

Heat is a major factor that can cause the system to throttle performance, including the refresh rate. If your iPhone is getting hot, you may need to address the temperature issue directly—see how to fix iPhone overheating.

If none of these solutions work, contact Apple Support.