Google has finally added a feature to Android that Apple introduced two years ago

Owners of the Galaxy Fold 8 smartphone and devices from the Pixel 11 lineup have just gained access to an effective tool for combating download delays while on the go, though the developers have taken several important factors into account.

The new feature, called Motion Assist, has already been rolled out to devices running Android 17, two weeks after Google’s official announcement during the September Android Drop update. This technology displays moving geometric shapes along the edges of the screen to reduce discomfort while traveling, so if you’re using a Pixel 11 Pro XL or a foldable flagship from Samsung, this option should already be available in the settings.

Google officially unveiled Motion Assist on September 1 on its blog. As Eric Kay, vice president of Android Core platform engineering at Google, noted, this tool was designed specifically to bridge the gap between what the eyes perceive and the actual movements of the vehicle.

The documentation accompanying the update notes that effectiveness may vary among users; a small percentage of people may experience discomfort, and that it is strictly prohibited to activate the system while driving – which makes perfect sense for any software that overlays animations on a moving screen.

Once activated, Motion Assist may launch automatically whenever the mobile device detects that it is in a car, bus, or train. Google representatives also recommend adding a dedicated tile to the quick settings menu so you can turn this feature on or off from any screen.

Apple introduced a similar solution much earlier: the Vehicle Motion Cues feature was unveiled back in May 2024 alongside the release of iOS 18. During testing on the iPhone, experts noted the effectiveness of the moving dots on the lock screen and within apps like YouTube, calling the idea “brilliant,” whereas Android users previously had to search for third-party apps in the app store.

The situation is more interesting for Samsung users. Samsung’s own solution to motion sickness was implemented as a standalone app that plays a 100 Hz tone. This technology was first discussed back in March. Now, the Galaxy Fold 8 has received Google’s Motion Assist as an additional option, and the new feature works on top of Samsung’s existing solution.

The main requirement for using Motion Assist is Android 17. The feature is distributed via Google Play, but Google notes that the new version of the operating system is required for it to work. For now, this means that owners of the Pixel 10, Pixel 11, and the Galaxy Fold 8 series can use Motion Assist, while users of other smartphones will have to wait for an update to Android 17 from their device manufacturer.

To enable Motion Assist on a smartphone running Android 17, open the “Settings” app and search for “motion assist.” Another way is to go to “Settings,” “Google,” the “All Services” tab, and then the “Personal Safety and Device Security” section. After that, you’ll need to enable the “Start in a moving vehicle” option. This feature automatically displays moving objects when the smartphone detects that you’re in a car, bus, or train. If the Motion Assist option doesn’t appear in the menu yet, Google recommends restarting your smartphone and checking to make sure you have the latest version of Google Play installed.

Although Motion Assist arrived on Android two years after Apple’s announcement, Google’s version offers slightly more customization options. Users can adjust not only the color and transparency of the elements but also the shape of the figures and the level of their randomness. Another notable feature is the simultaneous rollout of the feature on Samsung and Pixel smartphones. Google doesn’t always release new features for both platforms at the same time, so the fact that Motion Assist appeared on the Galaxy on the same day as on the Pixel is a distinct advantage.

At the same time, Google openly acknowledges that Motion Assist won’t necessarily help every user. For some, the moving shapes at the edges of the screen may make their commute easier, while for others, they may prove ineffective or even make them feel worse.

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