iOS 26 update makes motion sickness feature more powerful

Apple's recent iOS 26 overhaul included a plethora of major additions and complete system makeovers, but there were even more tweaks, settings, and customization settings that flew under the radar for many users.

One of those was a subtle update to a feature known as Vehicle Motion Cues, launched last year as part of a new suite of accessibility tools, including eye-tracking powered by machine learning, music haptics, and vocal shortcuts controlled using not just whole words, but sounds and utterances as well.

Using on-device sensors, Vehicle Motion Cues battle the kind of motion sickness commonly experienced by people staring at their screens while in cars, buses, and trains. When turned on, users will see an animated border of dots along the edge of your iPhone, iPad, or (in an update released earlier this year) MacBook screen. The dots move according to the movement of the vehicle, lessening the sensory conflict that leads to motion sickness.

On iOS 26, those features have gotten even better. Now, users can choose between a regular or "dynamic" pattern for those moving dots. The former displays consistent, repeating animations, while "dynamic" turns the dots into a more free-form, sensory-specific spectacle. Users can also now adjust the color and size of the on-screen dots, making it more adaptable to the user's vision needs and the way they use their device while on the move.

Vehicle Motion Cues can be added to the device's control center and automatically sense when in motion, so it's easy to activate as soon as you get in the car.

And it's super simple to turn on.