Apple’s iOS updates always come with various exciting features, but one feature introduced in iOS 18 is particularly helpful for people who suffer from motion sickness when using their iPhones while in a moving vehicle. This new feature is called Show Vehicle Motion Cues, and it uses small dots on the edges of the screen to help reduce the feeling of dizziness while looking at your phone during a car ride. In this article, we’ll explore how to activate this feature and discuss its potential benefits for users who experience motion sickness.
1. What Are Show Vehicle Motion Cues?
Show Vehicle Motion Cues are a feature in iOS 18 designed to assist people who often feel dizzy while using their iPhones in moving vehicles. The system places small white dots on the sides of the phone’s screen. These dots serve as a point of visual reference, helping users reduce the sensation of dizziness that can occur when focusing too long on the screen during a bumpy ride.
2. How Does the Feature Work?
Motion sickness occurs when your eyes focus on an object like a phone screen while your body senses movement, such as riding in a car. This disconnect between what your eyes and body perceive can cause nausea or dizziness. The Show Vehicle Motion Cues function by offering a steady point of reference—small white dots that move along with the vehicle’s motion—helping your brain maintain balance and stability, which in turn reduces the sensation of dizziness.
3. How to Activate Show Vehicle Motion Cues.
Activating this feature is easy, and you can do it by following these simple steps:
- Go to your Settings.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Scroll down to Motion settings and look for the option labeled Show Vehicle Motion Cues.
- By default, this setting is turned off. You can choose to set it to “Automatic” or “On”.
- If set to “Automatic”, the small white dots will only appear when the phone detects motion. When the vehicle stops, the dots disappear.
- If set to “On”, the dots will remain on the screen at all times, regardless of movement.
4. Practical Use and Benefits.
For people prone to motion sickness, this feature can be a game-changer. In the past, many individuals avoided using their phones during car rides because focusing on the screen while the vehicle moved made them feel sick. Now, with the small white dots providing a reference point, it’s possible to read, watch, or browse content on your phone with less risk of discomfort.
5. Broader Use Cases.
While this feature is specifically designed to reduce motion sickness in cars, it can also be useful in other forms of transportation, such as buses, trains, and even airplanes. Essentially, whenever you’re in motion and feel a bit uneasy using your phone, you can activate this feature to help stabilize your visual field. It could also be beneficial for users who experience dizziness after staring at their screens for long periods of time.
6. Conclusion.
Apple’s Show Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18 are a thoughtful addition aimed at making smartphone use more comfortable for everyone, particularly those who suffer from motion sickness. With a few simple taps, users can activate this feature and reduce the likelihood of dizziness during car rides or other forms of travel. If you often feel nauseous or dizzy while using your phone in a moving vehicle, give this feature a try and enjoy a smoother experience.
7. Demo Video.
You can watch the following demo video by choosing your preferred subtitle language.