Google Pixel Phones Get Motion Assist on Android 17 to Help Reduce Motion Sickness
Google is introducing a new Android 17 feature called Motion Assist, and Pixel phones appear to be first in line to receive it. The feature is designed to make phone use more comfortable while traveling in a car, bus, train, or other moving vehicle, especially for people who experience motion sickness when looking at a screen on the go.
Motion Assist works by showing animated visual cues on the display while the vehicle is moving. These moving shapes are meant to help your eyes and inner ear better understand the motion around you, which may reduce the uneasy feeling some users get when reading, browsing, or using apps during travel.
The idea is similar to Apple’s Motion Cues feature, which arrived on iPhone with iOS 18 in 2024. Now, Google is bringing its own version to Android 17, starting with select Pixel devices.
Users may be able to turn on Motion Assist automatically when the phone detects that they are inside a moving vehicle. This detection uses the phone’s motion sensors, including the accelerometer. For those who prefer manual control, the feature can also be added as a Quick Settings tile, allowing it to be switched on or off from the pull-down settings menu.
On supported devices, Motion Assist can be found inside Google Play settings. Users can check for it by opening Settings, selecting their profile, and going to All services. However, the feature does not appear to be available to everyone yet, suggesting that Google is rolling it out gradually.
Motion Assist fits into Google’s broader strategy for Pixel phones. Over the years, Pixel devices have gained a reputation for practical software features that aim to solve everyday problems. Features like Now Playing, smart widgets, call tools, and helpful AI-powered functions have helped Pixel phones stand out in a crowded Android market.
While not every experimental feature becomes essential, Motion Assist has the potential to be genuinely useful. Motion sickness is a common issue for many people, and a built-in Android feature that helps make travel more comfortable could be a welcome addition.
For now, Motion Assist seems limited to some Pixel phones running Android 17. If the rollout goes well, it could eventually expand to more Android devices in the future. For users who often feel dizzy or uncomfortable when using their phone in a moving vehicle, this may become one of Android 17’s most practical new features.
