The RAC predicts that 14.1 million drivers will be on the roads for holidays or day trips this weekend—the second-highest figure since tracking began in 2016. Long delays create restless children, prompting many parents to hand over phones or tablets for entertainment. However, using devices in moving vehicles often triggers car sickness, which Churchill Motor Insurance reports affects over a third of UK children.
Experts from tech site Compare and Recycle highlight an easy-to-activate iPhone hack that can help reduce these symptoms while keeping children engaged. Lee Elliott, their Chief Product Officer, explains, “Car sickness stems from a disconnect between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses. When kids use phones or tablets in cars, this mismatch is a common cause of nausea. But Apple devices have a built-in setting that helps ease this effect.”
The feature, called Vehicle Motion Cues, is located under Settings > Accessibility > Motion on most Apple devices. It displays subtle moving dots around the screen’s edge that shift in sync with the car’s movement. “These dots provide the eyes with visual cues that match the body’s motion, helping to resolve the sensory conflict that causes sickness. It works alongside normal activities like watching videos, playing games, or reading,” says Elliott. Users can set it to activate automatically when the device detects movement, eliminating the need to remember each time.
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This setting is also effective on other forms of transport — trains, coaches, and ferries — where motion sickness from tech use can also occur.
For Android users, Elliott recommends apps like KineStop, which overlays moving dots similar to Apple’s feature. Samsung users can try Hearapy, a free sound-based app designed to ease motion discomfort, although it works best with Galaxy Buds. While not as seamless as Apple’s integrated option, these apps offer valuable alternatives for non-Apple devices.
If children still feel unwell despite these aids, Elliott suggests keeping screen-free distractions ready. “Simple activities like ‘I Spy,’ license plate alphabet games, or audiobooks can divert attention without screen use and help soothe symptoms.”
Of course, Elliott emphasizes that no tech setting replaces the benefits of regular breaks and fresh air, which remain the most effective method to manage car sickness during travel.
“For families expecting to use devices on trips, enabling this setting takes seconds and can make a real difference,” he concludes.