The new Android 17 update introduces a feature called Motion Assist, designed to reduce feelings of motion sickness when using a smartphone in a vehicle. The first devices to receive the update are Google Pixel phones, with the feature to be rolled out later to other Android devices.
Motion Assist works in a similar way to Vehicle Motion Cues, which Apple added to the iPhone in 2024. Animated dots or other shapes appear along the edges of the screen and move in sync with the motion of the car, bus or train. The Motion Assist settings screen notes:
“This may help reduce motion sickness when you’re in a moving vehicle”
To switch on Motion Assist, open Google Play Settings on your Android device, tap your profile, select the Settings section, then go to All services. The feature is located in the Personal & device safety block.
Users can customise the colour, shape and transparency of the motion indicators displayed around the edges of the screen. There is also an option to randomise these parameters. Motion Assist can be set to turn on automatically when the system detects that the device is in a car, bus, train or other vehicle. A Motion Assist tile is also available in the Quick Settings menu for switching the feature on and off manually.
When Motion Assist is activated, the user receives a notification that allows the feature to be turned off quickly. The rollout is happening gradually on Pixel smartphones with Android 17, so even on compatible devices it may not appear straight away.