On iPhones, Pokémon Go now operates much more smoothly

Pokémon Go on iOS has received a new update that allows you to play at faster frame rates. “Unlock your device’s native refresh rate for higher FPS” is now an option in the “advanced settings” section of the app with version 1.191.0.

It makes a significant impact on my iPhone 13 Pro, which I tested. Of course, Pokémon Go isn’t the most aesthetically complex game, but there’s a lot of scrolling and camera movement, and the smoother touch response feels much better when setting up a pokéball toss with your finger.

The following is an example of how the feature appears in the game’s menu:

On iOS devices, Pokémon Go was originally limited to 30 frames per second. Many Android phones are already capable of running the game at a higher frame rate, however support can be hit or miss in my experience testing across multiple devices. Nonetheless, until today, Pokémon Go performed better on Android.

The 13 Pro and Pro Max, which are the only iPhones with 120Hz “ProMotion” displays, aren’t the only ones to get the new iOS function. I have tried it on my old iPhone 8 Plus, and the frame rate can be unlocked there as well, though the older A11 chip doesn’t always maintain a steady 60fps.

Niantic isn’t making a big deal about the feature; it’s turned off by default, and it’s not mentioned in the release notes for version 1.191.0, save from a vague mention of “several quality-of-life improvements.” It’s probable that allowing it for all users may result in battery life complaints, given that Pokémon Go is already a somewhat resource-intensive software. However, if that isn’t a worry for you, it’s worth trying out the alternative.