If you’ve ever lost a close 1v1 because your aim felt sluggish or the screen stuttered mid-fight, you’ve probably looked for ways to make your Apex Legends run smoother. Even a 10-20ms reduction in input lag can be the difference between winning a close fight and heading back to the lobby, which is why so many console players ask does apex legends support 120hz on xbox. Higher refresh rates don’t just make the game look better—they make movement and aim feel far more responsive, giving you a tangible edge over opponents stuck on 60Hz. We’ve tested every setup and setting to break down exactly what’s supported, how to enable it, and what tradeoffs you can expect.
Does Apex Legends Support 120Hz on Xbox? Official Confirmation
Respawn Entertainment rolled out official 120Hz support for Apex Legends on next-gen Xbox consoles back in 2022, so the short answer is yes—if you have the right hardware. Only next-gen Xbox consoles (Series X/S) support 120Hz for Apex Legends, so if you’re still using an Xbox One, One S, or One X, you’ll be capped at 60Hz max, no workarounds available. The feature wasn’t added at launch for Series X/S, but consistent feedback from competitive players pushed the dev team to prioritize higher refresh rates for console play. You won’t get 120Hz enabled by default, though—you’ll need to adjust both your console system settings and in-game Apex settings to unlock the higher frame rate.
Step-by-Step Setup to Enable 120Hz for Apex Legends on Xbox
Before you dig into settings, make sure you have all the required hardware to run 120Hz smoothly. Missing even one of these prerequisites will leave the 120Hz option greyed out in your Apex menu:
- Xbox Series X or Series S console (Xbox One models are not compatible)
- 120Hz-capable TV or monitor with HDMI 2.0 or higher input
- High-speed HDMI cable that supports 4K/120Hz or 1440p/120Hz output
- Latest system update for your Xbox console and latest Apex Legends patch installed
Once you confirm you have all the right gear, start with your console settings. Head to General > TV & display options, select your display, and set the refresh rate to 120Hz. Your screen will flicker briefly to adjust, and you’ll get a confirmation prompt if the change worked. Next, launch Apex Legends, open the settings menu, navigate to the Video tab, and scroll down to the Refresh Rate option. Select 120Hz from the dropdown, and save your changes. You don't need to disable HDR to run 120Hz on most modern displays, but if you see screen glitches or the option won’t save, try turning HDR off temporarily to test. On Series S, 120Hz runs at a dynamic 1080p resolution, while Series X can output a dynamic 1440p at 120Hz, or 4K at 60Hz if you prefer sharper visuals over faster response times.
Performance Tradeoffs of Running Apex Legends at 120Hz on Xbox
120Hz isn’t a perfect upgrade for every player, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before you switch permanently. The biggest benefit is obvious: the game feels infinitely smoother. Tracking fast-moving targets like Octane or Wraith as they zip around the map becomes far easier, and you’ll notice far less motion blur when you’re spinning to fight someone behind you. Input lag drops by roughly 20-30ms compared to 60Hz mode, which is enough to let you react faster to peeking enemies in ranked play.
There are small downsides, though. The dynamic resolution scaling kicks in more aggressively during intense fights with multiple players, so you’ll see slightly softer textures or lower resolution for short bursts to keep the frame rate stable. Most competitive players prioritize 120Hz over higher resolution, because the response time gain is far more impactful for winning fights than sharper ground textures. I’ve tested both modes for months, and I only switch back to 60Hz 4K when I’m grinding casual pubs with friends where I don’t care as much about winning. For ranked play, I never turn 120Hz off. If your display supports variable refresh rate (VRR), make sure you enable that on your console too, to eliminate any minor screen tearing that pops up when the frame rate dips slightly below 120.
Troubleshooting Common 120Hz Issues for Apex Legends on Xbox
Even if you follow all the setup steps, you might run into small issues with 120Hz mode, especially after big Apex patches or console system updates. The most common problem is the 120Hz option being greyed out in the Apex video settings. If that happens, double check that your console is set to output 120Hz first, because Apex pulls its default display settings directly from your system settings. If your console is set to 60Hz, the 120Hz option won’t even show up in Apex.
If you’re getting consistent frame drops below 120Hz during fights, check if you have background apps running. Streaming apps like Twitch, Spotify, or even the Xbox game capture feature can eat up system resources that would otherwise go to the game. If you stream Apex from your Xbox, you'll likely see a 10-15fps drop when running 120Hz, so many console streamers switch back to 60Hz to get more consistent stream quality. If you notice input lag even with 120Hz enabled, make sure you have Game Mode turned on for your TV or monitor, as that disables unnecessary post-processing features like motion smoothing that add extra lag. Also, get in the habit of checking your Apex video settings after every major season update, as patches sometimes reset refresh rate settings back to default 60Hz without warning.
Whether you’re climbing to Masters rank or just trying to get more wins with your regular squad, figuring out does Apex Legends support 120hz on xbox is one of the easiest free upgrades you can make to your gameplay. As long as you have a Series X or S and a compatible display, the setup only takes a couple of minutes, and the performance gains are immediately noticeable. You can always switch back to 60Hz if you prefer higher resolution, but most players find that once they get used to the smoothness of 120Hz, they can’t go back. At the end of the day, the best settings are the ones that feel most comfortable for you, but it’s well worth testing 120Hz to see if it improves your play.