Google's secret Flappy Bird game is BACK in Android Marshmallow and here's how to play it

The frustratingly addictive Flappy Bird tribute makes a welcome return in Android Marshmallow

GOOGLE'S secret Flappy Bird game is BACK in the latest version of Android.

 

Google has a long history of sneaking hilarious Easter Eggs into its products – like this frustratingly addictive game baked into your Chrome browser.

The US firm hid an Android themed Flappy Bird game in the previous version of its hugely successful mobile operating system, Lollipop.

The Flappy Bird tribute was a nice way to waste some time and is always ready-to-play without having to download anything from the Play Store.

Thankfully – Google has included an updated version of the game in Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The latest Android operating system is currently being rolled out across the globe on Nexus devices as well as the new iPhone lookalike HTC One A9 and flagship LG G4.

 



The crafty Google geeks have included the Flappy Bird tribute for a second time



Unfortunately the Easter Egg will not work on any Android devices running a version of the operating system before 5.0 Lollipop.

But if you are running on the latest versions of the Google OS you can launch the game by navigating to the settings on your smartphone or tablet.

This menu varies slightly between manufacturers depending on how much they have tweaked Google's stock version of Android.

If you are running a Nexus phone, the quickest way to the settings is to pull down the notifications shade from the top of the screen and hit the cog icon in the top-right hand corner – next to your profile picture.

 

Google has hidden the Flappy Bird tribute in the same location as last year

Scroll to the bottom of the phone settings until you see the About Phone menu item.

Tapping on the About Phone, look for the tab which lists the version of Android and quickly tap the text five times.

This should then bring up your homescreen – with a large marshmallow logo.

 

Quickly tap the Google Marshmallow logo five times in a row – which should cause the marshmallow icon to change colour – then tap and hold on the logo for two seconds.

The screen will go blank and then the Flappy Bird game will launch.

Tapping the display makes the Android mascot leap – albeit unpredictably – and when you inevitably crash the droid into the scenery, tapping the screen again will relaunch the game.

Earlier this year, Google snuck a game into its hugely popular Maps application online.