Since iPadOS 16, the iPad has been equipped with a feature called Reference Mode. This function allows you to adjust the appearance of the display, for example the white point and luminance. For most iPad users, the reference mode will not be interesting, it is mainly intended for professionals.
For professionals in the creative sector, it is important that the color reproduction and brightness of the screen is very accurate. Consider luminance and white point, which are very important in photo and video editing and must comply with different color standards.
Exclusive to the Liquid Retina XDR display
To use Reference Mode on an iPad, you must have iPadOS 16 or newer installed. In addition, you must have a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 with Liquid Retina XDR display to adjust the white point and luminance.
So the feature is not available on other iPad models. This is because the iPad Pro 12.9-inch has a mini-LED screen. This screen makes it possible to set the color values ​​more accurately.
Activate reference mode on the iPad Pro
If you want to adjust the display of the screen because you want to use the iPad Pro (12.9-inch version only) as a reference screen, enable the function as follows:
- Go to Settings on your iPad
- Select the ‘Screen & Brightness’ option
- Swipe down and turn on Reference Mode
- Tap the ‘Refine Calibration’ button
- You can now adjust the measured and target values
- Tap Done to activate the adjustments
The appearance of the display is now automatically adjusted. After setting reference mode, it disables various screen settings. Think of TrueTone and the brightness of the screen.
The brightness control can no longer be adjusted, either in the settings or in the control panel. This prevents the reference mode from being disturbed by the brightness of the screen. You can use the ‘Default settings’ button to return to the default settings.
Reference mode with Sidecar
You can use the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation) as a reference display, but this is not only possible on the device itself. You can also use reference mode in combination with macOS Ventura and Sidecar. To do this, you must have a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 chip or newer).