Use an Adaptive Sync external display with your Mac

Some Mac models support Adaptive Sync, a display technology that enables a variable refresh rate that adapts to the frame rate of your content.

What you need

To use a variable refresh rate on an Adaptive Sync display, you need macOS Monterey or later and one of these Mac models:

  • Any Mac with Apple silicon

  • Any of these Intel-based Mac models:

    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

    • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

    • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)

    • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)

    • Mac Pro (2019) when used with any of these Radeon Pro MPX modules: W5500X, W5700X, W6800X, W6900X, or W6800X Duo

For best performance, connect your Adaptive Sync display to the Thunderbolt No alt supplied for Image port of your Mac using a Thunderbolt, USB-C, or other DisplayPort-enabled cable. Do not use an HDMI cable or adapter.

How to turn Adaptive Sync on or off

macOS Ventura or later:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Displays.

  2. Select your external display at the top of the window.

  3. Choose Variable from the Refresh Rate pop-up menu. To stop using Adaptive Sync, choose one of the fixed refresh rates instead.

macOS Monterey:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Displays.

  2. Click Display Settings.

  3. Select your external display in the sidebar.

  4. Choose Variable from the Refresh Rate pop-up menu. To stop using Adaptive Sync, choose one of the fixed refresh rates instead.

Apple displays with ProMotion also adapt to the frame rate of the content. For those displays, you will see ProMotion instead of Variable in Display Settings.

If your display flickers when using Adaptive Sync

Adaptive Sync is well-suited for applications such as gaming and video playback, and it can help conserve energy. For other applications, it might produce a flickering or stuttering effect. If your external display flickers when using Adaptive Sync:

  • Turn off variable refresh rate.

  • Check with the display manufacturer for Adaptive Sync compatibility with your Mac.

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