Android 17’s Motion Assist displays small moving bubbles near the edges of your screen while you use your phone as a passenger in a vehicle. Google designed the visual cues to help reduce motion sickness, but they are not a guaranteed remedy—and the feature is not for drivers.
What Motion Assist does—and why it may help
When Motion Assist is on, bubbles appear around the screen edges and move in response to a vehicle’s turns, acceleration and braking. Google says the phone’s motion sensors track that movement in real time.
The idea is to give your eyes a visual cue that better corresponds with the movement your body feels. That is Google’s design rationale and intended benefit, not proof that the feature will prevent symptoms. The bubbles are an overlay; they do not change the phone’s content or the vehicle’s movement.
What you need to use it
- Android 17 or higher.
- Updated Google Play services.
Having Android does not by itself mean Motion Assist is available on every phone. Eligibility and rollout can depend on the device and its software state. Google’s published instructions do not name specific compatible handset models, so check your phone’s settings rather than assuming it qualifies.
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How to find and turn on Motion Assist
- Open Settings.
- Tap the profile area, then choose All services.
- Under Personal & device safety, tap Motion assist.
- Enable automatic activation if you want it to start when your phone detects that you are in a moving vehicle.
If you do not see that menu path, search Settings for “Motion assist.” Menu labels may differ by device or software release.
Set up the Quick Settings tile as a manual fallback
Google recommends adding the Motion Assist tile to Quick Settings as well as enabling automatic activation. Vehicle detection may not always work, so the tile gives you a way to switch the overlay on or off yourself.
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To add it, open Quick Settings, enter its edit mode, and add the Motion Assist tile if it is available. The exact edit control can vary by device. Once added, use the tile to toggle Motion Assist during a ride when automatic activation has not started it, or when you want to turn it off.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use it only as a passenger, and keep expectations measured
Do not use Motion Assist while operating a moving vehicle, or in another situation where you need your full attention for safety. It is intended for passengers who are using a phone.
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Google’s published materials describe how Motion Assist works and say it can help reduce motion sickness; they do not provide a clinical study, measured success rate or promise that it will stop symptoms. Treat it as an optional visual aid, not a proven treatment. If it does not help you, turn it off and avoid using your phone if that makes you feel worse.
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