Use Your iPhone More Comfortably While Riding in a Vehicle
Turn your iPhone into a smarter travel companion. From minimizing motion sickness to simplifying controls, these built-in features help you stay comfortable and safe when using your iPhone on the go.
By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
September 2, 2025
Or maybe you’ve struggled to tap tiny icons while the vehicle bumps along.
Apple knows this pain point and has quietly built in tools that make the iPhone more vehicle-friendly.
Whether you’re a passenger on a road trip, a frequent rideshare rider, or a commuter, there are smarter ways to use your iPhone that won’t leave you frustrated, or nauseous.
What the Feature Is and Why It Matters
Apple’s Vehicle Motion Cues feature helps align what your eyes see on-screen with the motion your body feels.
It places subtle animated dots at the edges of the display to mimic the vehicle’s movement, reducing the mismatch that often causes motion sickness.
Pair this with other comfort features, like Voice Control, Siri shortcuts, and Display Zoom, and your iPhone becomes far easier to use when you’re not standing still.
What You’ll Gain
- Reduced motion sickness when reading or browsing.
- Easier navigation of apps while in transit.
- Hands-free comfort with voice-driven controls.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to do it.
Turn on Vehicle Motion Cues (iOS)
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility → Motion.
- Enable Vehicle Motion Cues.
Use Voice Control (iOS)
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control.
- Toggle Voice Control ON.
- Use commands like “Open Mail” or “Scroll down.”
 |
| fig. 2 - Turn On Voice Control to Use Simple Voice Commands |
Enable Display Zoom (iOS)
- Open Settings → Display & Brightness → Display Zoom.
- Choose Larger Text for easier viewing on bumpy rides.
 |
| fig. 3 - Choose Larger Text for Easier Viewing During Bumpy Rides. |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reduces motion sickness for passengers.
- Hands-free options improve safety and comfort.
- Works system-wide, not just in select apps.
Cons
- Motion cues may feel distracting for some users.
- Not helpful for drivers (Apple rightly restricts usage).
- Older iPhone models may have limited support.
Feature Access
- Available on: iPhone with iOS 18 or later.
- Cost: Free, included in iOS.
- Who can use it: All iPhone users (not restricted to Apple subscriptions).
Score
Criterion | Score | JustificationValue: 9/10Motion sickness is a real issue for millions; this directly addresses it.Usability: 8/10Simple toggles in Settings; minimal learning curve.Wow Factor: 7/10Subtle but clever; users will be pleasantly surprised.Total: 24/30 → 👍 Good. Worth adopting for most users.
Key Takeaways
Your iPhone can be more than just a distraction in transit, it can adapt to your comfort.
Turning on Vehicle Motion Cues, pairing with Voice Control, and using Display Zoom gives you a smoother, more accessible experience when you’re on the move.
Try It Yourself
On your next ride, toggle Vehicle Motion Cues and test Voice Control.
See how much more comfortable your iPhone feels.
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