Google is expanding the rollout of Motion Assist , a feature built into Android 17 designed to alleviate motion sickness many people experience when using their phones while traveling in a vehicle. This tool has begun reaching more users after initially being tested on the Pixel line.
The idea is simple but effective: display small animated bubbles at the edges of the screen that move in sync with the vehicle. This provides the brain with a visual reference that corresponds to the accelerations, turns, and braking felt by the body, reducing discomfort.
Why do we get dizzy when we look at our mobile phones?
Motion sickness, also called kinetosis, occurs when there is a conflict between what the eyes see and what the inner ear detects. When looking at a static screen inside a moving car, the eyes tell the brain that everything is still, but the vestibular system reports that the body is moving. This discrepancy is what causes nausea and dizziness.
With Motion Assist, these floating bubbles act as a visual anchor . They rotate, move, and change position in sync with the vehicle, providing peripheral feedback that helps reconcile conflicting information. It's a solution similar to the "Motion Indicators in Vehicles" that Apple introduced in iOS 18, but adapted to the Android ecosystem.
Automatic or manual activation: this is how it works
Android allows Motion Assist to turn on automatically when it detects that the user is traveling by car, bus, or train. Thanks to the phone's accelerometers and gyroscope, the system recognizes when you're in motion and activates the bubbles without requiring any touch.
There's also the option to control the feature manually. You can add a shortcut to the Quick Settings panel to turn it on or off at any time, which is handy if you only want to use it on specific journeys. Furthermore, the bubbles are customizable: you can choose from different colors, shapes, and transparency levels. This way, each user can adjust their visual presence so they aren't too intrusive while reading, viewing maps, or checking a notification.
Gradual rollout: which phones are receiving it?
Motion Assist requires Android 17 and is distributed through Google Play services. Although it initially only arrived on some Google Pixel phones, it is now being rolled out to more devices, including several compatible Samsung models . The rollout is gradual and controlled from Google's servers, so two phones with the same version of Android may receive the feature at different times.
This expansion is part of the September 2026 update, and early adopters are already noticing the difference. According to tests, the feature has also been observed on other manufacturers' devices, such as Vivo's high-end models, indicating that Google is expanding compatibility beyond its own devices.
How to check if it's already available on your mobile
To find out if your phone already has Motion Assist, simply go to Settings and search for "Motion Assist" or "Motion Assistance" . You can also find it within the Google services section, specifically under Personal and Device Security.
If it doesn't appear, make sure your operating system, Google Play services, and the Google app are updated to their latest versions. However, there's no way to force activation : it depends on Google's servers and is rolled out randomly to eligible devices. You'll just have to wait for the feature to reach your device.
In short, Motion Assist isn't a feature that will radically transform how you use your phone, but it can be a great relief for those who suffer from motion sickness when checking their phone while traveling. Its current rollout is good news for Android users, who are gradually receiving a tool that improves comfort while traveling. If you already have it, it's worth trying; if not, be patient, because it will eventually arrive.