Does macOS 13 Support VRR Monitors?

macOS 13 Ventura natively supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) monitors, enabling smoother motion, reduced input lag, and the elimination of screen tearing for gaming and general use. This guide covers how macOS 13 handles VRR, the hardware and connection requirements needed to use it, and the exact steps to enable Adaptive Sync on your external display.

macOS 13 VRR Compatibility

Apple introduced native VRR support in macOS 12 Monterey and continued full support in macOS 13 Ventura. The operating system supports the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard, which includes AMD FreeSync displays.

To use VRR on macOS 13, you need compatible hardware:

  • Mac Hardware: Any Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2 series chips) natively supports VRR. Select late-model Intel Macs with discrete AMD graphics also support Adaptive Sync.
  • Display: A monitor that supports Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync, or is G-Sync Compatible.
  • Cables and Connections: A direct connection using DisplayPort via a USB-C to DisplayPort 1.4 cable or a Thunderbolt connection works most reliably. HDMI 2.1 VRR is supported on select Macs with native HDMI 2.1 ports (such as 2023 M2 Pro/Max models). Most multi-port USB-C hubs and docks strip VRR functionality, so a direct cable to the Mac is recommended.

How to Enable VRR in macOS 13 Ventura

  1. Turn on your monitor and ensure Adaptive Sync or FreeSync is enabled in the monitor's built-in on-screen display (OSD) settings.
  2. Connect the monitor directly to your Mac.
  3. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  4. In the sidebar, click Displays.
  5. Select your external monitor from the display arrangement list at the top.
  6. Locate the Refresh Rate drop-down menu.
  7. Select the Variable option (this is typically listed as a range, such as 40–60 Hertz or 48–144 Hertz).

Once selected, macOS dynamically adjusts the monitor's refresh rate to match the frame rate of the rendered content on your screen.