Recent high-end Apple laptops (like the MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″) feature incredibly smooth “ProMotion” displays. ProMotion is Apple’s branding for a dynamic, variable refresh rate technology. Instead of running at a static 60Hz, the screen can automatically ramp all the way up to 120Hz when you are scrolling through a document to make it look buttery smooth, and then instantly drop down to 24Hz when you are watching a movie to match the film’s frame rate and save battery life.
While ProMotion is fantastic for general consumer use, it can be a massive headache for video editors and developers. If you are color grading or editing a video project that strictly requires a consistent 60Hz playback to verify pacing and frame drops, having the operating system constantly throttle the screen’s refresh rate dynamically can severely interfere with your workflow.
You can turn off ProMotion entirely, forcing your MacBook’s display to remain locked at a static, unwavering refresh rate.
How to Disable ProMotion on a Mac
You must change the display configuration from variable to a fixed Hertz rating.
- Open the System Settings (or System Preferences) via the Apple Logo in the top-left menu bar.
- Scroll down the left sidebar and click on Displays.
- Ensure your built-in MacBook Pro display is selected.
- Look for the dropdown menu labeled Refresh Rate.
- By default, it will be set to ProMotion. Click the dropdown menu.
- Select a static refresh rate from the list (such as 60 Hertz, 50 Hertz, or 47.95 Hertz depending on your specific video editing requirements).
macOS will immediately disable the dynamic scaling algorithm. Your screen will now operate exactly like a traditional, static monitor, ensuring absolute consistency for professional video workflows.