An Android easter egg is a hidden, interactive feature built into the Android operating system, accessible by navigating to Settings > About phone > Android version and repeatedly tapping the version number. This tradition, which began with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, has evolved from simple artwork into full mini-games and tools, making each new version a treasure hunt for users who want to find the latest android easter egg.
What is an Android easter egg?
An Android easter egg is a secret feature hidden within the Android OS that you can only access through specific steps. They come in many forms, including games, artwork, and interactive images. These easter eggs date as far back as Android 2.3, with each succeeding version featuring a unique one. The universal method to find the easter egg on any Android version is to go to Settings > About phone and tap the Android version line rapidly until something appears.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread
The Android easter egg tradition started with Android 2.3 Gingerbread's zombie image. It was created by Jack Larson, an artist who was friends with Diane Hackborn, Android's framework team lead. At the time, Hackborn thought it might be fun to sneak an Android easter egg artwork within the OS. The image features the old bugdroid logo next to a zombie gingerbread man, with a backdrop full of white zombies and a dark but colorful background. Once users found the easter egg, they could also see credits to the artist Jack Larson.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
The second Android easter egg came with the Honeycomb OS in 2011. It featured the bugdroid logo with a nearly black body and neon blue accents inspired by Tron: Legacy. Eventually, the bugdroid would turn into a bee, matching the "Honeycomb" name. Once activated, it appears over your home screen with a "REZZZZZZZ..." toast message at the bottom.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Ice Cream Sandwich was the first OS to feature an Android easter egg with two phases. The first shows the classic bugdroid with an ice cream sandwich body. Activating the second phase morphs it into a series of ice cream sandwich bugdroids gliding across the screen, paying homage to the Nyan Cat meme.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to reveal the first phase.
- Long-press on the bugdroid multiple times. It will grow with each long-press until it transitions to phase 2.
Android 4.1-4.3 Jelly Bean
Jelly Bean was the first Android version that came with a mini Android easter egg game. The first phase is a superimposed graphic of multiple jelly beans over your phone. You can tap on it to reveal a tiny smiley face.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the jelly beans.
- Long-press on a jelly bean to make them float and allow you to fling them around your screen.
Android 4.4 KitKat
The first 3-phase Android easter egg came bundled with Android KitKat. The first stage shows an interactive K logo you can twirl. The second stage shows a red Android logo. The third phase shows a colorful interactive tile screen with different icons.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the K logo.
- Long-press on the K logo multiple times until the red Android logo appears.
- Long-press on the red screen several times to trigger the final phase.
Android 5.0 Lollipop
The first full-fledged Android easter egg game came with Android Lollipop. The first stage features an interactive lollipop that changes colors upon tapping.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the lollipop.
- Long-press on the lollipop's head to trigger a Flappy Bird-style game where you navigate a bugdroid through lollipop obstacles.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Marshmallow features a nearly identical Android easter egg to Lollipop but replaces the lollipop with an "M" vector logo. The second phase is the same flappy bird game, but you avoid marshmallows on sticks instead of lollipops. It also has a multiplayer feature: tap the (+) button to add up to six simultaneous players.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the "M" logo.
- Long-press on the graphic to trigger the game.
Android 7.0 Nougat
The Nougat Android easter egg is more complicated. The first phase is triggered the usual way.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the Nougat logo.
- Tap the Nougat logo multiple times. Your phone will vibrate while a cat appears and disappears.
- Open the Quick Settings on your home screen and press the edit button.
- Move the "??? Android Easter Egg" icon to the Quick Settings menu, then tap on it to begin the Neko Atsume-inspired cat-collecting mini-game.
In the game, tap on the icon to put food on the plate. A cat will come by to eat the food, requiring you to refill the plate. You can do this as many times as you want, collecting as many cats as you want.
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android Oreo adopted a more traditional easter egg method. The first phase features an Oreo biscuit.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the Oreo.
- Long-press on the Oreo to reveal a strange octopus on your screen. You can interact with it by dragging its head, with it morphing and stretching as you go. Flip your phone horizontally and the Oreoctopus will follow.
Android 9.0 Pie
The last of Android operating systems with tasty food names was Android 9.0 Pie. The first phase includes the Pie logo with colorful ring backgrounds. You can change the colors by tapping once and move the rings by swiping.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the Pie logo.
- Long-press the first stage's logo several times until it triggers a drawing app with a pen tool, color tool, eyedropper, and other simple drawing tools. You can simulate pressure sensitivity by covering more or less surface area.
Android 10
The first Android OS with no food in its name was Android 10. The first phase features the Android 10 logo with grey and white stripes.
- Tap the Android version line repeatedly to see the logo.
- Double-tap and then hold on the "1" symbol to rotate it. When you form a "Q", grey and white lines begin to move.
- Tap the area multiple times until you get to a Nonogram (Picross) puzzle game you must fill in to produce an image. The second phase is triggered specifically after arranging the logo into a 'Q', then tapping the area multiple times.
Android 11
Android 11's easter egg features a dial.
- Tap the Android version number multiple times to see a dial.
- Turn the dial until you get an "11". At random, you'll see a cat emoji appear as a toast message.
- Long-press on the power button to find a new section called Cat Controls. This allows you to feed a virtual cat, give it water, and use a toy to attract its attention. If you fill the plate, you might attract new cats like Neko Atsume. The Cat Controls feature also serves as a subtle way to teach users how to control smart home devices through the power menu.
Android 12
Android 12 features a dynamic color-changing clock widget that reflects the system's Material You theme.
Android 13
Android 14
Android 14 includes a space-themed mini-game where you pilot a rocket ship through a starfield.
Android 15
Android 15 hides a flag that triggers a screen saver with a subtle nod to Android's history.
Android 16
The latest Android 16 Easter egg continues the tradition with a new interactive element.
More hidden Android features to explore
Beyond the easter eggs, Android devices are full of other secret features. For example, you can manage your phone photos and media more effectively by using hidden storage settings and file management tools built into the OS. These hidden features, like the easter eggs, reward exploration and can make your device more useful and fun to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Android phones have the same easter egg?
Yes, the easter egg is part of the core Android operating system, so any phone running a given version of Android (like Android 14) will have that version's easter egg. However, manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi may add their own custom skins, which can sometimes change the exact menu path to find it.
Can I still access old Android easter eggs on a newer phone?
No, each easter egg is tied to its specific Android version. If your phone is running Android 14, you can only access the Android 14 easter egg. You cannot access the Gingerbread or Lollipop easter egg on a newer OS.
What happens if I tap the Android version too many times?
Nothing harmful. Tapping the Android version line repeatedly is the intended method to trigger the easter egg. It will not affect your phone's performance or settings in any negative way.
Are Android easter eggs available on tablets?
Yes, Android tablets running the same version of Android will have the same easter egg. The steps to access it, going to Settings > About tablet > Android version and tapping repeatedly, work the same way.
