Motion sickness can make it difficult to use your smartphone while traveling, especially when your eyes follow what’s on the display and your body senses the movement of the vehicle. Following Apple and some Android manufacturers, Google has now developed a specific feature to address this issue and is expanding access to it after an initial limited distribution.
Reduce motion sickness, called “Motion Tips” during development and called Motion Assistance in English Documentationreleased with Android 17. Now, the feature has also appeared in the notes for the latest Google Play services update, a step that marks wider availability on compatible devices.
Android 17 reduces motion sickness: How it works
This feature is included in Google Play Services version 26.37, released on September 21, 2026. In the update notes, Google explains that Motion Sickness Reduction uses Moving graphic elements that follow the movement of the vehicle Help relieve discomfort. However, this system does not guarantee the elimination of motion sickness.
Therefore, operations are based on a grid of shapes displayed above the smartphone content. When the feature is active, Android Can detect if the device is on a moving vehiclesuch as a car, bus, or train, and automatically launches the graphic.
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Customization possibilities are different. From the path “Settings”, “Google Services”, “All Services” and “Reduce Motion Sickness” Shape color can be selected from five colorswhile for geometric shapes you can use circles, squares, pentagons and rhombuses. You can also use the slider to adjust the opacity.
There is also a randomization mode Periodically change the color and shape of display elements. The feature can be added to the Quick Settings panel so you can invoke it without having to go through the system menu each time.
Google has also published a support page specifically for this feature, clarifying an important requirement: Motion sickness reduction requires Android 17 or higher and updated versions of Google Play services. Therefore, this is not a feature designed for previous versions of the operating system.
The expanded release follows months of development and an initial limited supply that began between August and September. For those with smartphones compatible with Android 17, the new system may already be available, provided that Google Play Services is also updated. Even though the service usually updates automatically, it can be verified through the app’s page on the Play Store.
