Owners of smartphones based on the operating system Android often look for ways to personalize their devices or simply have fun with hidden features. One of these features is the famous Easter eggthat Google developers build into every new firmware version. In the tenth version of the system, this mini-game was named Nonogram, which is a logic puzzle with pixel graphics.
Activation of this mode does not require the presence root access or installation of third-party software. All you need is access to the main settings menu and some free time. The launch process may seem confusing for a beginner, as it requires performing specific actions with the time dial, but the result is worth it.
After successful activation, a full-fledged game will open in front of you, stylized as the operating system logo. This is not just animation, but interactive content where you need to solve attentiveness tasks. Let's take a closer look at how to get to this section and what exactly awaits you there.
The mechanics of activating the hidden mode
To start the game, you need to go to a special section of the system settings. Navigation in modern shells may differ, but the basic path remains the same for pure Android. You need to sequentially go to the menu Settings → About phone. This is where information about the system version is hidden, which is the key to unlocking.
Next, find the item Android version. Unlike previous versions, which required multiple clicks on the logo, here the algorithm is more complicated. You have to interact with the lock screen, or more precisely, with the watch face. This is done to ensure that accidental presses do not activate the mode.
Change the time on your device so that it matches the system version number. Since we are talking about the tenth version, it is necessary to set the time 10:00. Please note that the time format can be 12-hour or 24-hour, so make sure that the correct numbers are displayed on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: If you have automatic time synchronization enabled over the network, you cannot manually change the clock. Go to the date and time settings and temporarily disable the “Use network time” option.
After setting the correct time, return to the menu About the phone and quickly click on the field Android version several times in a row. Typically it takes 5 to 7 clicks. If you did everything correctly, a logo in the form of the number 10, stylized as a candy or lollipop, will appear on the screen.
The process of solving the Nonogram puzzle
The game itself is a classic Japanese puzzle, also known as the "Japanese crossword". The field is divided into cells, and along the edges there are numbers that tell you how many shaded blocks should be in the corresponding row or column. Your task is to recover the hidden image.
In context Android 10 the target image is the operating system logo. This is a green robot made in pixel style. Level difficulty varies, but a basic understanding of grid filling logic is enough to get you through. Errors in filling the cells may lead to the need to start the level over again.
Control is carried out by touching the screen. A single tap paints a cell, and a double tap or a long hold (depending on the implementation in the specific firmware) can mark the cell as empty. This helps you not to lose count when analyzing long rows.
If you are stuck at a difficult moment, first try to fill in the rows where the sum of the numbers is equal to the width of the field - such lines are filled completely without gaps.
The passage of the game is divided into several stages of difficulty. You practice on small grids first to understand the mechanics and then move on to the main image. Successfully completing all levels unlocks additional system icons or wallpapers that can be installed on the home screen.
Display and Interface Settings
Once you've unlocked an Easter egg, you may notice changes to the visual style of the system. Developers often tie the appearance of new interface elements to the fact of completing a mini-game. In particular, the style of icons in the notification shade may change or new animations may appear when switching applications.
In some custom firmware, such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS, passing an Easter egg activates a special “Developer Easter Egg” mode, which adds fun elements to the developer menu. However, on stock devices from manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi the reaction may be limited only to the appearance of the logo.
It is important to understand that this function does not affect the Performance smartphone or battery life. This is an exclusively entertaining element designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the graphics engine and distract the user from routine tasks. However, it has become an iconic part of the Android ecosystem.
| UI element | Status before activation | Status after activation | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo in the menu | Standard Android | Stylized (Q) | Absent |
| Settings icons | Basic set | Extended set | Minimal |
| Default wallpaper | Static | Dynamic (optional) | Minor |
| Developer menu | Standard | With Easter elements | Absent |
If you did not notice any visual changes after completing it, try rebooting your device. Sometimes the interface cache requires updating to use new graphical assets unlocked through a hidden menu.
Technical features and compatibility
It is worth noting that the presence of this Easter egg is guaranteed only on devices with “pure” Android 10 (for example, the Google Pixel series). Smartphone manufacturers often modify system software by adding their own shells, such as One UI, MIUI or ColorOS. In such cases, the standard Google Easter egg can be replaced with a branded game from the manufacturer or removed altogether.
Screen resolution also plays a role in how the puzzle is displayed. On devices with very high resolution (1440p and above), controls may appear small. At the same time, on budget models with low ppi the grid may look larger, which makes it easier for your finger to hit the right cells.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with a cutout in the screen (donut camera) or curved edges of the display, game controls may be obscured by system indicators. Try turning the device to landscape mode.
If your firmware is based on Android 10, but the Easter egg does not work, the manufacturer may have disabled this module at the system compilation level. In this case, the only way to get the game back is to install a custom recovery and flash the stock image, which requires certain technical skills.
What to do if the time is reset?
If the time comes back after exiting the setup menu, check if the “Time Roaming” mode is activated in the telecom operator settings. Sometimes you need to completely turn off the phone, change the time when it is off (if the BIOS/Bootloader allows), but this is rare for smartphones. The easiest way is to turn off the Internet before entering the settings.
Alternative methods of accessing functions
For advanced users, it is possible to activate some hidden functions without beating the game, using debugging tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge). By connecting your smartphone to the computer, you can send commands that forcefully open the necessary system activities.
However, this method does not launch the game itself, but only opens access to a menu that is usually hidden. For a full experience of completing and receiving all the visual bonuses, the manual method through time settings remains the only correct solution. Automation of the process through scripts can be regarded by the system as an error.
There are also third-party applications in the store Google Playthat emulate the interface of Easter eggs of different versions of Android. They are useful if you want to play a puzzle game, but your current version of the system does not support the native game or you have updated to a newer version.
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.EasterEggActivityThis command is an example of how you can try to trigger the Easter egg activity directly. Please note that the activity name (EasterEggActivity) may vary depending on the device manufacturer and firmware build version.
☑️ Preparing for activation
Frequent startup problems and their solutions
The most common error The time format is incorrect. Users often confuse (AM) and (PM), setting 22:00 instead of 10:00 or vice versa. The system only reads a digital value, so it is critical that the number 10 in the hour digit is displayed on the screen.
Another problem is that pressing the Android version is too slow. The touchscreen should register a series of quick taps. If you click at long intervals, the counter will reset and the animation will not start. Try tapping your finger rhythmically on the screen.
In rare cases, especially on devices with low-sensitivity protective glass, the system may not register multiple touches in one area. In such a situation, it is recommended to temporarily remove the protective glass or increase the sensitivity of the sensor in special display settings, if such an option is provided by the manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to use third-party apps to emulate clicks (clickers). Android security may block access to the settings menu if it detects automated input, treating this as a hacking attempt.
If all else fails, check for system updates. Sometimes bugs that prevent Easter eggs from working are fixed in security patches. Go to Settings → System → System update and check the availability of new software versions.
The main secret of success is the exact time setting of 10:00 and a quick series of clicks on the version number, performed without haste, but quickly pace.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to pass the Easter egg on Android 11 or 12?
No, each version of Android has its own unique Easter egg. In Android 11 it was a media player control style, and in Android 12 it was a clock with the ability to adjust the time. The Nonogram mechanic is available exclusively for version 10 (codenamed Quince Tart).
Does completing the game affect the device warranty?
Absolutely not. Activating Easter eggs is a standard function of the operating system provided by the developers. This does not require obtaining root access, unlocking the bootloader or modifying system files, so the warranty remains in full.
What to do if nothing happens after setting the time to 10:00?
Make sure that you are in the “About Phone” menu and click on the “Android Version” line, and not on “Build Number”. Also check if the screen is turned on at full brightness - some sensors work worse when the display is dimly lit.
Is it possible to save the result of a game or a screenshot?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of the screen using a button combination Volume down + Power. However, the game itself does not save progress in a separate file, so after exiting the application, the progress is reset, and the next time you start you will have to start over.