Google is introducing Motion Assist, a new feature designed to alleviate motion sickness for Android users who experience discomfort while using their phones in moving vehicles. The feature is beginning its rollout to Android 17 devices, with Google’s Pixel phones receiving it first before expanding to other Android devices.
Motion Assist functions similarly to Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues, which debuted on iPhones in 2024. The feature displays animated shapes or dots along the edges of the screen that respond to the vehicle’s movement, potentially reducing motion sickness symptoms. Although the feature was initially discovered during beta testing in December 2024, it has taken nearly two years for Google to make it widely available.
Users can customize the appearance of the motion indicators by adjusting color, shape, and opacity settings. The feature can be configured to activate automatically when the device detects travel in various vehicles including cars, buses, and trains, or users can manually enable it through Quick Settings. Motion Assist is found in the Personal & device safety section of Google Play Settings.
The rollout is occurring gradually across eligible Pixel phones running Android 17, meaning some users may not yet have access. Google displays a notification when Motion Assist activates, allowing users to easily disable it if needed.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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