Android Easter Eggs: Check Out Google's Hidden Mascots From Gingerbread To Lollipop

Among the many features on the Android operating system, some of the cutest are undoubtedly the hidden mascots that can be found on most versions. They're easy enough to access:A user need only go to System settings > About Phone, then tap the Android version on a device running Android 2.3 or higher, and an image styled according to the version’s nickname will appear.

More recent versions, starting with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, include animated and interactive images. A few more taps or swipes on the screen prompt a moving image to appear.

Google has named most of its system versions on Android alphabetically according to dessert names. So far there is Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, and last week Google introduced Android Lollipop. Take a look at all of the Android Easter eggs that have released so far.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Android 2.3 was the first operating system to feature an Easter egg. The still image is a painting called "Zombie Art" drawn by Jack Larson, which features a zombie gingerbread man, an oblivious Android and several zombies holding what appear to be mobile phones.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Honeycomb is notably the first and only Android operating system developed especially for tablets. After Android 3.0, systems were developed to work on both tablets and smartphones. Honeycomb is also the only codenamed OS version that isn’t exactly a food. Its Easter egg also reflects this by featuring an image of a blue Android honeybee, though there is a honeycomb in the background.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Android 4.0 contains the first interactive Easter egg. Upon tapping the Android version number, a little “Nyan Droid,” appears on top of the home screen. The Nyan Droid is an Android robot wearing an Ice Cream Sandwich, much like the Nyancat meme of a pixelated cat wearing a toaster pastry. Pressing one finger down on the screen then enlarges the Nyan Droid. Finally, pressing a finger down once more causes several Nyan Droids to endlessly fly across the screen.

Android 4.1-4.3 Jellybean

The Jellybean Easter Egg is also interactive, and has a few more nuances than the previous version. The Easter egg first reveals a jolly red jellybean alongside the system version number. Swiping a finger up and down the screen will then activate the interactive of several jellybeans endlessly floating across the screen. Users can then flick the jellybeans away, but it is impossible to completely clear the screen.

Android 4.4 KitKat

The KitKat Easter egg also incorporates the older Android mascots. Accessing the Easter egg brings users to a screen with a K, which spins as it is pressed. Long-pressing the K will bring users to a screen with the Android 4.4 name stylized in KitKat branding. Long-pressing this screen will bring users to a tiled screen filled with images of all the Android mascots.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

The Android Lollipop Easter egg is more than just a hidden feature; it is also a game. The Easter egg takes cues from the infamous Flappy Bird game that took the mobile Web by storm last year. Accessing the Easter egg brings users to a screen with a lollipop, which changes colors as the lollipop is tapped. Long-pressing the lollipop will bring users to the Flappy Bird style game, which features a tiny Android that users have to guide through a linear lollipop maze, much like the real game. Those who have played the game say it is extremely hard. Many early adopters are still curious as to what happens if you reach a high score, i.e., getting more than one or two points.