There are situations where Traveling by car is a real challenge, especially for those who rely on their mobile phone for entertainment, information, or to make the most of their journey. Using an iPhone while driving can instantly become a feeling of malaise, dizziness, or other symptoms that make traveling less bearable. But what if I told you that today there are tools and tips specifically designed to make your iPhone experience in the car much more comfortable and enjoyable? Here's the definitive guide to transforming your car trips using your Apple phone.
In recent times, Apple has made giant strides in improving how we interact with our devices when we are passengers in a vehicle, betting on functions that help us avoid motion sickness and reduce distractions Now you can make the most of your iPhone's capabilities on the road. If you want to discover all the secrets and tips for using your iPhone comfortably on your travels, keep reading because here's everything you need to know and more.
Why can iPhone cause motion sickness when you're a passenger?
The discomfort or dizziness that many people experience when using their iPhone on the go has a technical name: motion sicknessThis discomfort is very common in car passengers, although it can also occur on trains, planes, or boats. The main cause is a lack of coordination between what the eye perceives and the inner ear. While your eyes focus on the screen —which is still—, Your body feels the turns, accelerations and braking of the carThis conflict of sensory signals ultimately causes this unpleasant sensation, which can include cold sweats, dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting.
Until recently, the only solution was to avoid using a cell phone on difficult journeys and limit activities such as reading, playing games, or writing, in addition to taking some medications for more severe cases. However, Apple has developed a specific function to minimize this problem when using your iPhone while traveling.
Vehicle Motion Indicators: The Key iOS Feature to Prevent Motion Sickness
Apple has launched a revolutionary feature in iOS called Vehicle movement indicators (also known as Vehicle Motion Cues) that first appeared in iOS 18. This system is specifically designed to help users who experience motion sickness while using their phone in a car. What does it do? Very simple: some animated dots on the edges of the screen that simulate the real movements of the vehicle. These points move and adjust in real time according to the direction of travel, curves, accelerations and braking, which helps synchronize what your eyes see with what your body feels.
When the car turns left, the dots on the screen shift to the right (and vice versa), while when accelerating or braking, they also change position, simulating the vehicle's own movement. This way, The brain receives additional visual signals that help reduce sensory confusion and, as a result, reduce motion sickness.
How to enable motion indicators on your iPhone
To activate this system and enjoy the most comfortable experience possible while traveling as a passenger, you just need to follow a few simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Find the usual icon on the home screen and access the settings.
- Go to the Accessibility sectionScroll down the menu until you find the Accessibility option, where Apple groups features to make the device easier for all users.
- Look for the Movement section within Accessibility and locate the option that says “Show vehicle movement indicators.”
- Select the Automatic option so that iPhone can automatically detect when you're in a moving car and activate the indicators only when necessary.
The feature is available in all models compatible with iOS 18 and later, from the second-generation iPhone XS and SE to the latest models. A total of six animated dots appear scattered across the sides of the screen, barely intrusive; in most cases, the brain quickly becomes accustomed to their presence and naturally ignores them, allowing for a fluid, distraction-free experience.
Why is this feature so effective against motion sickness?
The key to motion indicators is that they synchronize visual and sensory experience.Traditionally, the brain received opposing signals: the environment moves, but the screen remains still. This causes confusion and discomfort. By synchronizing the real movement of the car with animated dots on the screen, the brain processes the situation better and the feeling of disorientation is reduced, resulting in less motion sickness and a more pleasant journey.
This technology leverages the iPhone's built-in motion sensors—accelerometer, gyroscope, and others—to detect how the vehicle is moving and adjust the motion of the animated dots in real time. This is a great help especially on long trips, winding roads or heavy traffic situations where motion sickness can occur more easily..
How to Optimize Your iPhone Experience in the Car: Additional Tips and Tricks
Not everything is limited to movement indicators. Apple has thought of other features and habits that improve interaction with the iPhone while traveling as a passengerHere are some of the highlights:
1. Choose the best seat to avoid motion sickness
Traveling in the passenger seat is usually best for those who get motion sickness., since from there you have a broader view of the horizon, allowing your sight and hearing to receive more coherent information about movement. Thus, the risk of motion sickness is significantly reduced compared to the rear seats.
2. Keep your eyes on the horizon (if you can)
Whenever possible, alternate using your phone with looking straight ahead or at the landscape.Fixing your gaze on a fixed point in your surroundings, especially on winding roads, helps maintain a balanced sensory input and prevents motion sickness.
3. Adjust the “Behind the Wheel” Focus setting
Focus mode "While driving" is one of the most useful tools to stay focused and avoid distractions when using your iPhone in the car, especially if you're the driver, but also useful as a passenger to filter out annoying notifications. To set up this feature:
- Open Settings > Focus and add Driving mode if it isn’t already active.
- Customize allowed notifications and define whether you want them to activate automatically (by motion), when connected via Bluetooth, manually, or when using CarPlay.
- You can allow certain people or apps to send you messages even when Focus is active. You can even activate an automatic reply, letting your contacts know that you have silenced notifications and that they will only notify you if it's urgent.
This mode also allows you to share your focus status with apps., protecting your privacy and preventing specific focus mode displays.
4. Quick access from the Control Center
If you prefer to manually manage when to turn motion indicators or focus mode on or off, you can do so from Control Center.Simply swipe down (or up, depending on your iPhone model), tap and hold the option you want, and select the function you need. It's ideal for those times when you're on a short commute and don't want to bother going into settings.
Apple CarPlay: another dimension of convenience and safety
If we talk about getting the most out of your iPhone in the car, we couldn't miss mentioning Apple CarPlay.This technology allows the phone to connect directly to the vehicle's infotainment system, displaying a customized version of iOS on the dashboard screen and enabling voice control via Siri.
What are the advantages of Apple CarPlay?
- Secure and easy access to your key applications: Music, maps, messaging and calls, all adapted for road use and with extra-large icons to avoid distractions.
- Voice control with Siri, allowing you to operate the device without taking your eyes off the road or taking your hands off the steering wheel.
- Frequent updates and constant improvements to always be up to date in security and functionality.
- Compatibility with vehicle controls and the possibility of installing it in both modern and older cars thanks to aftermarket systems.
Installing and using Apple CarPlay is very simple.If your vehicle already comes with this technology as standard, simply connect your iPhone via USB or wirelessly and follow the on-screen instructions. If your car is older, you can purchase a compatible radio from a well-known brand and install it easily, with the same benefits as in new vehicles.
