How to Enable and Use Reduce Motion

Reduce Motion is a useful accessibility feature available on various devices that helps minimize the motion effects and animations. This feature can be beneficial for individuals who experience discomfort, dizziness, or motion sickness caused by the movement of elements on the screen. In this tutorial, we will explore how to enable and use Reduce Motion on different devices and platforms.

Enable Reduce Motion on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
Under the Motion section, select Motion.
Toggle the switch next to Reduce Motion to the right to enable it. The background will turn green to indicate that Reduce Motion is now active.

Once Reduce Motion is enabled, you will notice a reduction in animations and transitions throughout the operating system, making it easier on the eyes and reducing motion-related discomfort.

Enable Reduce Motion on macOS

Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
Select System Preferences from the dropdown menu.
Click on the Accessibility icon.
In the left sidebar, select Display.
Check the box next to Reduce motion to enable it.

When Reduce Motion is enabled on macOS, window opening and closing animations, as well as other visual effects, will be minimized.

Enable Reduce Motion on Android Devices

It's important to note that the steps to enable Reduce Motion may vary slightly across Android devices due to different manufacturer interfaces. The following instructions are generally applicable:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on Accessibility (or System > Accessibility depending on your device).
Look for the option related to Enhanced visuals or Reduce animations.
Toggle the switch or checkbox associated with it to enable Reduce Motion.

Although the exact interface and naming may differ on different Android devices, the overall functionality remains the same. Once Reduce Motion is enabled, the device will minimize animations, transitions, and parallax effects.

Use Reduce Motion on iOS, macOS, and Android

After enabling Reduce Motion on your device, you can take advantage of its benefits. Here are some common functionalities and effects that are influenced by Reduce Motion:

App Switcher Animation: On iOS devices, reducing motion will alter the animation when switching between apps or accessing the app switcher. Instead of a sliding animation, a crossfade effect will be used, reducing the motion impact.
Home Screen Parallax: Reduce Motion affects the parallax effect on the home screen of iOS devices. When enabled, the background will not move according to the device's motion.
Transition Effects: With Reduce Motion enabled, transition effects such as zooming or sliding in and out of apps or screens will be less pronounced or removed to minimize motion-related discomfort.
Notification Center and Control Center: Reduce Motion reduces motion effects when opening and closing the Notification Center or Control Center on iOS devices, making the experience smoother.

Remember that enabling Reduce Motion might slightly alter the visual experience and might not entirely eliminate all animations. However, it can significantly reduce the motion effects and make your device usage more accessible and comfortable.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enable and use Reduce Motion on various devices. Whether you are using iOS, macOS, or an Android device, taking advantage of this accessibility feature can make a real difference in reducing motion-related discomfort and enhancing usability.