A little-known iPhone feature designed to ease motion sickness is winning over users, with many describing it as a game-changer for reading or browsing while travelling.
Called Vehicle Motion Cues, the accessibility feature displays animated dots along the edges of the screen that move in sync with the motion of a vehicle. Using the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer, the dots provide visual cues that help the brain better process movement, potentially reducing nausea.
The feature has become increasingly noticeable on public transport, where commuters can often be seen using phones with the distinctive moving dots.
Experts say the technology is based on a long-standing understanding of motion sickness, although they differ on the exact cause.
One widely accepted explanation, known as sensory conflict theory, suggests motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting information. While the inner ear senses movement, the eyes may be focused on a stationary object, such as a phone screen, creating confusion that leads to dizziness and nausea.
However, Tom Stoffregen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, believes the problem stems from the body’s inability to accurately predict movement and maintain posture, particularly when passengers are not in control of the vehicle.
Regardless of the cause, specialists agree that providing visual information about movement can help.
Kristen Steenerson, a clinical associate professor at Stanford University who studies the vestibular system, says the moving dots give users a better sense of how they are travelling through space.
“There is some research that has looked into visual feedback and found it can be very helpful,” she says.
The approach is similar to anti-motion sickness glasses, which use liquid-filled rings around the lenses to provide visual movement cues. Research suggests those glasses can also reduce nausea.
For some users, the iPhone feature has delivered dramatic results.
New York curator Zandie Brockett calls it “a game changer” and says she recommends it to anyone prone to car sickness.
Rory Carroll, editor-in-chief of automotive publication Alloy, says the feature has solved a lifelong problem.
“It’s solving a very specific problem that I’ve had my whole life. The dots really work,” he says.
Not everyone experiences the same level of relief, however. Some users report little or no improvement, highlighting that the feature is not a universal cure.
To activate Vehicle Motion Cues, users can go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues. The feature can remain on at all times or activate automatically when the phone detects vehicle movement. Users can also customise the size and colour of the dots.
Android users can find similar functionality through third-party apps, while industry rumours suggest Google may introduce a comparable feature on future Pixel smartphones.
While the feature allows more people to comfortably use their phones while travelling, it also raises a broader question about screen time. By removing one of the few situations that encouraged people to put their phones away, Vehicle Motion Cues may further extend the role smartphones play in everyday life.
For those who struggle with motion sickness, though, the feature could make commuting significantly more comfortable, provided they remember it exists.
