How to Prevent Motion Sickness Using Vehicle Motion Cues on iPhone

Experiencing motion sickness while using your iPhone or iPad in a moving car is a common issue every user has dealt with at some point. To help combat the issue, Apple introduced Vehicle Motion Cues to prevent motion sickness, allowing you to comfortably use your iPhone while in a moving car.

In this guide, I will explain what Vehicle Motion Cues is and how to enable and customize it on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to enjoy a comfortable road trip.

Why Do We Get Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness typically occurs when your eyes and inner ears send conflicting signals to your brain. While in a moving car, your inner ear senses motion, but if your eyes are fixed on a still object like your iPhone screen, they don’t detect the same movement. This sensory mismatch confuses your brain and can cause symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and general discomfort.

What Is Vehicle Motion Cues, and How Does It Work?

With iOS 18, Apple introduced Vehicle Motion Cues to address the root cause of motion sickness: visual-vestibular conflict.

According to Apple’s internal research, many users experience motion sickness because their brain struggles to reconcile the difference between what they see (a static screen) and what they feel (vehicle movement). When this feature is turned on, animated dots appear around the edges of your iPhone display to represent changes in motion. These subtle visual cues help synchronize your visual input with your sense of balance, making it easier for your brain to adjust.

How to Turn On Vehicle Motion Cues on iPhone and iPad

Vehicle Motion Cues is an Accessibility feature, so you’ll find it within the Accessibility settings.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Under the Vision section, tap Motion.
   
   
4. Tap Show Vehicle Motion Cues.
5. Choose whether to turn it On, Off, or set it to Automatic.
   • Automatic: Uses your device’s sensors to detect vehicle movement and activates the cues only when needed.
   • On: Always displays the motion cues.
   • Off: Disables the feature entirely.
     
     

How to Customize Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18 and iOS 26

With iOS 26, Apple has expanded customization options for Vehicle Motion Cues. You can now personalize the appearance and behavior of the animated dots.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues.
2. Tap Customize Appearance.
3. Adjust the following settings:
   • Larger Dots: Make the dots more visible for better focus.
   • More Dots: Increase the number of motion cues displayed.
   • Dynamic Pattern: Choose this for a more fluid and responsive experience that matches your motion sensitivity.
   • Dot Color: Pick a color that contrasts with your screen background for better visibility.
     
     

These options let you fine-tune the visual experience according to your preferences and sensitivity level.

How to Access Vehicle Motion Cues from Control Center

Apple has made it easier to toggle Vehicle Motion Cues directly from the Control Center. Here’s how to set it up:

On iPhone or iPad (iOS 18 and above):

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center.
2. Tap the + icon at the top left to enter customization mode.
3. Tap Add a Control at the bottom.
   
   
4. Find and tap Vehicle Motion Cues to add it to your Control Center.
   
   
5. Once added, tap the button to choose between Only in Vehicle, On, or Off.
   
   

On Mac:

• Click the Control Center icon at the top right of your menu bar.
• Click Edit Controls.
• Search and select Vehicle Motion Cues to add it to your Control Center or menu bar.

This quick-access method provides you with full control over the feature without requiring you to dive into settings every time.

Motion Sickness Eliminated…

The introduction of Vehicle Motion Cues is a significant step forward in improving digital wellness. For users who frequently experience symptoms of illness while using their devices in moving vehicles, this feature can make a significant difference. It’s especially useful for long road trips, daily commutes, or anyone who wants to read or message comfortably without feeling dizzy.

That said, its true effectiveness will become more apparent as more users try it and share their experiences. And that’s not all—Apple also introduced other major accessibility features, such as Eye Tracking and Vocal Shortcuts, making iOS 18 a significant milestone in accessibility.

Have you tried Vehicle Motion Cues yet? Does it help reduce motion sickness for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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• Hidden Accessibility Features in iOS 26 and macOS 26