Android Hidden Game: How to Find and Play the Secret Easter Egg on Any Phone
Did you know your Android phone has a secret game hiding inside it right now? No download needed. No app store. Google’s developers have been hiding these surprises in every version of Android since 2010, and most people have no idea they exist.
These hidden games are called Android Easter eggs. Some are silly animations. Some are full mini-games you can play for hours. And every version of Android has a different one.
I have tested these Easter eggs on over a dozen phones, from old Android 5 devices to the latest Android 16 phones, including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, and OnePlus models. In this guide, I will walk you through how to find yours, what each version includes, and share a few things that most guides leave out.
What Is the Android Hidden Game?
The Android hidden game is a secret feature that Google’s Android development team has placed inside the Android operating system (OS), much like the Developer Option in Android phones that many users never uncover.. In the tech world, these kinds of hidden surprises are called Easter eggs, and Google has included one in every Android release since Android 2.3 Gingerbread back in 2010.
Some of these Easter eggs are just images or animations. But many are real, playable mini-games. For example, Android 5 Lollipop has a Flappy Bird-style game. Android 7 Nougat and Android 11 have a cat-collecting game. And Android 14 has a space exploration game where you pilot a tiny rocket through the stars.
These Easter eggs are completely harmless. They do not use extra storage on your phone. They do not drain your battery. They do not use mobile data. They are just a fun little tradition that Google’s engineers have kept going for over 15 years.
How Do You Find the Hidden Game on an Android Phone?
Finding the hidden game takes about 30 seconds. The steps are the same on almost every Android phone. Here is exactly what to do:
- Open Settings: Turn on your phone and open the Settings app.
- Go to About Phone: Scroll to the bottom of Settings and tap About Phone.
- Tap Android Version Repeatedly: Find the field that says Android Version and tap on it quickly, at least 7 times. Keep tapping until something new pops up on your screen.
- Launch the Game: Once a logo or animation appears, tap it or press and hold it for 2 to 3 seconds to start the mini-game.
That is it. Four steps and you are in.
Where to Find It on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Other Brands
Some phone brands organize their Settings menu differently. If you cannot find “Android Version” right away, use the path for your phone brand below:
- Samsung Galaxy (One UI): Settings > About Phone > Software Information > tap “Android Version” several times
- Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO (MIUI / HyperOS): Settings > About Phone > tap “Android Version” several times
- OnePlus (OxygenOS): Settings > About Device > tap “Android Version” several times
- Google Pixel (Stock Android): Settings > About Phone > tap “Android Version” several times
- Motorola: Settings > About Phone > tap “Android Version” several times
- Oppo / Realme (ColorOS): Settings > About Phone > tap “Android Version” several times
The key detail that trips people up on Samsung phones is the extra “Software Information” step. Once you know that, it works the same way as every other brand.
What Hidden Game Does Each Android Version Have?
Every Android version has its own unique Easter egg. Some are pictures or animations, and some are full games you can play. Here is the complete list of every Android hidden game from the newest to the oldest version:
Quick Comparison: All Android Easter Eggs at a Glance
| Android Version | Name | Year | What You Get | Playable Game? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android 16 | Baklava | 2025 | Ship navigation mini-game | Yes |
| Android 15 | Vanilla Ice Cream | 2024 | Landroid space game + screensaver mode | Yes |
| Android 14 | Upside Down Cake | 2023 | Space rocket exploration game | Yes |
| Android 13 | Tiramisu | 2022 | Emoji bubbles + themed clock | Interactive |
| Android 12 | Snow Cone | 2021 | Material You clock + color palette widget | Interactive |
| Android 11 | Red Velvet Cake | 2020 | Cat-collecting game (Android Neko v2) | Yes |
| Android 10 | Queen Cake (Q) | 2019 | Nonogram picture puzzle | Yes |
| Android 9 | Pie | 2018 | Secret drawing app (Paint-style) | Interactive |
| Android 8 | Oreo | 2017 | Floating octopus / Oreo cookie | Interactive |
| Android 7 | Nougat | 2016 | Cat-collecting game (Android Neko v1) | Yes |
| Android 6 | Marshmallow | 2015 | Flappy Bird clone (multiplayer) | Yes |
| Android 5 | Lollipop | 2014 | Flappy Bird clone | Yes |
| Android 4.4 | KitKat | 2013 | Dessert Case tile mosaic | Interactive |
| Android 4.1 | Jelly Bean | 2012 | Flingable jelly beans | Interactive |
| Android 4.0 | Ice Cream Sandwich | 2011 | Nyan Cat-style Nyandroid animation | Animation |
| Android 3.0 | Honeycomb | 2011 | Tron-style neon bee | Image |
| Android 2.3 | Gingerbread | 2010 | Zombie gingerbread man painting | Image |
Below, I will break down the most interesting ones in detail so you know exactly what to expect when you try them.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 16?
Android 16 (codenamed Baklava) has a navigation mini-game that starts when you long-press the Easter egg logo. You control a small ship and steer it through space toward different planets. Since Android 16 is still new, Google may add more to this game in future updates.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 15?
Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream) keeps the space theme from Android 14 but makes it better. The game is called Landroid. You fly a tiny spacecraft by dragging your finger across the screen. Your speed and the coordinates of the nearest planet show up in the bottom-left corner.
The best new feature? You can plant a yellow flag on every planet you land on, which gives you a satisfying sense of progress as you move through the game.
Extra tip: Android 15 also lets you set this game as a screensaver. Go to your Display settings, enable screensavers, and look for one labeled “Autopilot Engaged” or something similar. It runs the game automatically when your phone is idle.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 14?
Android 14 (Upside Down Cake) has one of the most popular Easter eggs ever. Once you activate it, you see a round logo on a starry background. Press and hold the logo until the background starts moving. Then you get launched into a pixel-style space universe.
You steer a tiny rocket ship (which looks a lot like the spacecraft from the classic arcade game Space Invaders) through an Android-themed galaxy. There is no score and no end point. You just fly and see how far you can go. I have personally spent 20+ minutes in this one without realizing it.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 13?
Android 13 (Tiramisu) shows a clock face as its Easter egg. The trick is to set it to 1:00 PM, which is 13:00 in 24-hour format. That is the hint, Android 13 = 13:00. A large “13” appears on screen, surrounded by floating bubbles.
Long-press the screen and those bubbles turn into random emojis. Swipe around and the emojis change to different sets. It is more of an interactive toy than a game, but it is fun to mess around with.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 12?
Android 12 (Snow Cone) introduced Google’s Material You design system, and the Easter egg shows it off. You get a clock widget. Move the hands to 12:00 and the screen fills with colored circles that match your phone’s wallpaper theme.
After activating it, a new widget called “Android S Easter Egg” appears in your widget list. It displays a grid of colors taken from your current wallpaper. You can tap individual colors to copy or share them. This is useful if you design things or just want to know the exact color codes from your wallpaper.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 11?
Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake) brought back the fan-favorite cat-collecting game first seen in Android 7 Nougat, but with a new twist. Google integrated it with the power menu controls. Here is how to play it:
- Activate the Easter egg by tapping Android Version repeatedly.
- A dial shows up. Spin it past 10 to reach 11. A cat emoji appears briefly.
- Go to your power menu (hold the power button). A new “Cat Controls” option shows up.
- Set out food for the cats: water, fish, treats, or a toy.
- Wait. After some time, a notification tells you a cat has arrived. You can name it, save it, and keep collecting.
Think of it like a tiny Tamagotchi living inside your phone. Some cats appear in minutes. Others take hours. Once you start collecting, it is surprisingly hard to stop.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 10?
Android 10 (internally codenamed Queen Cake, or “Q”) has a clever puzzle. When you activate the Easter egg, you see the text “android 10” on screen. The letters and numbers can be moved and rotated.
Here is the trick most people miss: rotate the “1” and slide it into the “0” to form the letter “Q”, which was Android 10’s original codename. Once you make the Q, tap it a few times and a Nonogram puzzle game opens. You fill in squares on a grid using number clues to reveal a hidden picture. It is a real brain teaser.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 9 Pie?
Android 9 (Pie) shows a colorful “P” logo with swirling rainbow circles in the background. It looks nice on its own, but there is more. If you press and hold the “P” logo several times in a row, a secret drawing app opens up.
It works like a basic version of Microsoft Paint. You get a blank white canvas and can draw anything you want with your finger. It is simple, but it is a fun way to kill a few minutes if you are bored.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 8 Oreo?
Android 8.0 (Oreo) shows a blue screen with a floating octopus. The octopus has an egg-shaped head (an “Easter egg” shaped head, see what Google did there?). You can drag the octopus around the screen and its eight tentacles wiggle and follow.
In the Android 8.1 update, the Easter egg changed to an Oreo cookie with the Bugdroid (Android’s green robot mascot) tucked inside it.
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 7 Nougat?
Android 7 (Nougat) introduced the original Android Neko cat game, and it quickly became one of the most loved Easter eggs in Android history.
After activating the Easter egg, a small cat emoji blinks on screen. Here is how to start the game:
- Open Quick Settings (swipe down from the top of your screen twice).
- Tap “Edit” and drag the new “Empty Dish” tile into your Quick Settings bar.
- Tap the dish and choose food to set out for the cats.
- Wait. A notification will tell you when a cat arrives.
You can name each cat, share them with friends, and try to collect as many as possible. It works like a simple version of the popular Japanese game Neko Atsume, right inside your phone’s notification bar.
What Are the Hidden Games in Android 5 Lollipop and Android 6 Marshmallow?
These two versions have the most famous hidden games in Android history. Both are clones of Flappy Bird, the viral mobile game from 2014 that was downloaded over 50 million times before its developer pulled it from app stores.
In Android 5 (Lollipop), you fly a Bugdroid character through lollipop-shaped obstacles. In Android 6 (Marshmallow), the obstacles become marshmallows, and Google added multiplayer mode, so up to 5 people can play on the same screen by tapping the small “+” button.
Fair warning: these games are extremely hard, just like the real Flappy Bird. Most people crash within the first 5 seconds. In my experience, getting past 10 obstacles is a genuine achievement.
Good to know: If your phone does not run Lollipop or Marshmallow anymore, you can still play both of these games through the free Easter Egg Collection app on Google Play Store (linked in the section below).
What Is the Hidden Game in Android 4.4 KitKat?
Tap the Android version to see a spinning “K.” Keep tapping and it turns into the KitKat logo (one of the rare times Google partnered with a real candy brand for an Android name). Long-press the logo and a colorful tile mosaic pops up, showing icons from every previous Android version. Google called this the “Dessert Case.”
What About Older Android Versions?
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (2012): A big red jelly bean appears. Long-press it and hundreds of tiny jelly beans flood your screen. You can swipe and fling them in every direction.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (2011): A pixel-art Android robot shows up. Tap and hold it, and lots of small “Nyandroid” characters start flying across the screen on rainbows. This was Google’s tribute to the famous Nyan Cat internet meme that was huge at the time.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb (2011): A neon-glowing bee appears with the text “REZZZZZ” below it. This was a nod to the movie Tron: Legacy, where “rezzing” means creating something inside the digital world.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread (2010): The very first Android Easter egg. A spooky painting of a zombie gingerbread man standing next to a nervous Android robot, surrounded by zombies holding cell phones. It was drawn by artist Jack Larson at the request of Diane Hackborn, who led the Android framework team at Google. This is the one that started the whole tradition.
Why Does Google Put Hidden Games in Android?
Google hides Easter eggs in Android because of a tradition that started back in 2010. Diane Hackborn, who was the head of the Android framework team at Google, asked artist Jack Larson to create a hidden image for Android 2.3 Gingerbread. She wanted it to be a fun surprise that only curious users would find.
That one idea became a tradition. Now, every new Android version gets its own unique Easter egg. Google’s engineers see it as a creative outlet, a chance to add a personal, playful touch to a product that billions of people use every day across the world.
There is also a bigger story behind it. Software Easter eggs have existed since the 1970s. Back then, programmers used to hide their names, jokes, and small games inside programs as a way to sign their work. Atari, Microsoft, and Apple all did it. Google took that tradition and made it a regular part of Android.
The bottom line is simple: Google hides these games to make Android feel more human. It is a small, playful reminder that real people made the phone you are using every day.
What Should You Do If the Hidden Game Is Not Working?
If the Easter egg does not show up, or it shows but the game will not start, one of these fixes will usually solve it:
1. Tap Faster
You need to tap the “Android Version” field quickly. Fast, repeated taps, not slow, single taps. Try tapping 7 to 10 times in a row as fast as you can. On most phones, the Easter egg shows up after about 5 to 7 quick taps.
2. Check Your Phone Brand’s Settings Path
On Samsung Galaxy phones, you need to go through an extra step. The path is Settings > About Phone > Software Information > then tap “Android Version.” Many people miss that “Software Information” step and wonder why nothing is happening. Check the brand-specific paths listed earlier in this guide.
3. Long-Press the Logo
On Android 5 (Lollipop), Android 6 (Marshmallow), Android 14, and Android 15, seeing the Easter egg logo is just step one. You need to press and hold that logo for a few seconds to start the game. A quick tap will not work on these versions.
4. Clear Your Settings App Cache
If the Easter egg appears but freezes or acts glitchy, try clearing the Settings app’s cache. Go to Settings > Apps > look for “Settings” in the list > tap “Storage” > tap “Clear Cache.” Then go back and try the Easter egg again.
5. Restart Your Phone
A simple restart fixes more issues than most people expect. Turn your phone off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try accessing the Easter egg again.
Are There Other Hidden Games on Android Phones?
Yes. The Easter egg is not the only hidden game on your Android phone. Here are three more that most people do not know about:
The Chrome Dinosaur Game
If you use Google Chrome as your browser, you already have another hidden game. Turn off your Wi-Fi, open Chrome, and try to load any website. A small pixelated dinosaur appears with the message “No internet.” Tap the dinosaur and a side-scrolling game starts where you jump over cacti and dodge flying pterodactyls.
You do not even need to go offline to play it. Just type chrome://dino in Chrome’s address bar and the game loads instantly (and if you want to set an unbeatable high score, you can even use some secret Chrome Dino game cheats to become invincible!).
Google Doodle Games
Google has created dozens of interactive playable games for its homepage illustrations (called Google Doodles) over the years. You can play all of them for free at the Google Doodle Archive by filtering for “interactive” doodles. Some popular ones include the Pac-Man anniversary game, the cricket game, and the Halloween cat wizard game.
The Easter Egg Collection App
If you want to play Easter eggs from Android versions your phone has never run, download the free Easter Egg Collection app from Google Play Store. It brings all Android Easter eggs from every version into one app. This is the only way to play older Easter eggs like the Lollipop Flappy Bird game or the Nougat cat game on a newer phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Android phone have a hidden game?
Yes. Every Android phone running Android 2.3 Gingerbread (2010) or newer has a hidden Easter egg. Google has included a unique one in every Android version for over 15 years. Some are playable mini-games, while others are interactive animations or puzzles.
Is the Android hidden game safe to play?
Yes, it is 100% safe. These Easter eggs are created by Google’s own Android development team. They do not use any extra storage, battery power, or mobile data. They are harmless fun features with no risk to your device whatsoever.
Why can’t I find the hidden game on my Samsung phone?
Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI have an extra step that other brands do not have. You need to go to Settings, then About Phone, then Software Information, and then tap “Android Version” several times. Most other brands let you tap Android Version directly under About Phone.
Which Android version has the best hidden game?
Based on user feedback and online discussions, Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 14 are the most popular. Lollipop’s Flappy Bird clone is addictive and frustrating (in a good way), and Android 14’s space rocket game lets you freely fly through a pixel universe with no time limit.
Can I play hidden games from older Android versions on my current phone?
Your phone only shows the Easter egg for the Android version it is running. You cannot access older Easter eggs through Settings. However, you can download the free Easter Egg Collection app from Google Play Store to play every Easter egg from every Android version, past and present.
How do I check which Android version my phone has?
Go to Settings > About Phone. Your Android version number will be listed there. On Samsung Galaxy phones, check under Settings > About Phone > Software Information. The number you see (like 14, 15, or 16) tells you exactly which Easter egg your phone has.
What is the Android Easter egg?
The Android Easter egg is a secret feature hidden inside the Android operating system by Google. Users can find it by tapping the Android Version number in their phone’s Settings rapidly. Every version of Android since 2.3 Gingerbread (2010) has a unique Easter egg, from simple images to fully playable mini-games. The term “Easter egg” in software means a hidden surprise left by developers for curious users to find.
Conclusion
The hidden game on Android is one of those small details that makes using a phone just a bit more enjoyable. Most people go years without knowing it is there. Now you know exactly how to find it.
Whether you have the latest Android 16 or an older version, take 30 seconds and try it. Go to your Settings, tap your Android version a bunch of times, and see what comes up. If you land on the Flappy Bird clone from Lollipop or Marshmallow, brace yourself. That game is brutal.
And if your friends do not know about this, show them. It is one of those things that always gets a surprised reaction, especially on Samsung phones where that extra “Software Information” step makes it feel even more like a real hidden secret.
