If you’ve ever attempted to use your phone while in a moving vehicle only to find yourself feeling nauseous, you’re not the only one. Motion sickness is a prevalent problem for passengers, particularly for those who enjoy reading or scrolling during travel. However, with the introduction of a new feature in iOS 18, Apple is taking steps to help alleviate that uncomfortable sensation.

This feature, known as Vehicle Motion Cues, aims to mitigate motion sickness by providing visual cues that synchronize with your vehicle’s movement. These delicate animated dots appear along the perimeter of your screen, aiding your brain in reconciling the discrepancy between what your eyes perceive and what your body experiences. Most importantly, these cues will not be captured in screenshots or screen recordings, ensuring they won’t disrupt your content.

Understanding Motion Sickness

Motion sickness arises when your brain receives conflicting information from your senses. For example, your eyes may indicate that you’re at rest (since you’re concentrating on your phone), while your inner ear perceives motion. This discrepancy can result in symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea.

Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues are intended to alleviate this sensory mismatch by providing your eyes with a visual reference that corresponds to your body’s movements.

Activating Vehicle Motion Cues on iPhone

Enabling this feature is straightforward and quick. Here’s the process:

Total Time: 1 minute
What You’ll Need: An iPhone operating iOS 18 or newer

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Accessibility.

Step 3: Under the “Vision” category, tap on Motion.

Step 4: Tap on Show Vehicle Motion Cues.

Step 5: Choose On or Automatic.

– Selecting On will display the animated motion cues anytime you’re using your phone.
– Opting for Automatic will activate the cues only when your iPhone recognizes that you’re in a moving vehicle.

Whether you’re an avid road tripper or someone who frequently feels queasy on their commute, this simple yet considerate feature could greatly enhance your journey. So feel free—scroll away, and let your iPhone assist in keeping the motion sickness at bay.