Android 17 Beta 4 Finally Reveals Google’s New Easter Egg

Google has tucked a new Easter egg into Android 17 Beta 4, keeping a fun tradition alive since Android 2.3 in 2010. Every major Android release hides a secret mini-experience in the settings menu. Now, anyone with the latest beta on a Pixel device can check out the surprise inside Android 17.

What Is an Android Easter Egg?

An Easter egg in software is a hidden feature or surprise that developers add for fun. It doesn’t enhance system performance or security — it’s just a playful nod to users who dig deeper. Think of it as a secret room in a video game designed purely for enjoyment.

You can always find Google’s Android Easter eggs in the same spot: by tapping the Android version number in your phone’s Settings menu multiple times until something unexpected pops up. Over the years, these have included a color-changing logo, a playable Flappy Bird clone (Android 7.0), and an interactive paint canvas (Android 12). Each egg reflects that particular version’s visual design language.

What’s New in Android 17’s Easter Egg

Android 17 Beta 4 is where Google has finally revealed this year’s hidden gem, arriving later in the beta cycle than previous versions. Android Authority spotted the Easter egg after the Beta 4 build was released on April 16, 2026. This Easter egg seems to connect with Android 17’s overall design direction, which Google previewed in its Canary and beta builds over the past few weeks.

This year, Google skipped the usual Developer Preview phase for Android 17 and dove straight into beta with Canary builds. This change sped up the timeline for features like this one to become publicly accessible.

How to Find It on Your Pixel

If you’re running Android 17 Beta 4 on a supported Pixel device, here’s how to trigger the Easter egg:

1. Open Settings on your Pixel
2. Scroll down and tap About phone
3. Tap Android version repeatedly — usually around seven to ten times — until a logo or animation shows up
4. From there, interact with whatever appears to enjoy the full experience

The exact sequence may vary slightly between Android versions, so a bit of persistence can help. If nothing happens at first, try long-pressing the version number after a few taps.

Curious about how to get Android 17 Beta on your Pixel? 9to5Google has a complete guide on installing the Android 17 Beta on Google Pixel devices, covering everything from enrollment to sideloading.

A Tradition That Goes Back 15+ Years

Google has included an Easter egg in every major Android version since Gingerbread (2.3). The team views it as an unofficial design challenge — each egg must fit that year’s visual style. For instance, Android 12’s egg used the bold colors and rounded shapes typical of Material You (Google’s design system that allows your phone’s interface to adapt to your wallpaper colors). Android 17’s egg is expected to follow this same philosophy, showcasing whatever visual direction the new release is promoting.

While it may seem minor in the scope of a major OS update, it highlights that real people at Google enjoy their work. Android Authority called it “low-key the best part of every new Android release.”

Community Reactions

“The Easter egg is literally the first thing I check every beta season. My whole family does it together when the new Android drops.”

“I appreciate that Google still does this every year. It costs them nothing, but goodwill-wise it’s huge for the hardcore fans.”

What This Means for Everyday Users

If you’re not on the Android 17 Beta, this won’t affect how your phone operates right now. Easter eggs are completely optional and don’t change any core functionalities. But they do remind us that Android 17 is progressing through its testing phases, signaling that a stable public release is on the horizon.

For the average Android user, the broader context is that Android 17 is shaping up during its beta cycle. If history is any guide, a stable release usually arrives in late summer or early fall. The fact that Beta 4 is already available suggests the timeline is on track.

If you like trying out beta software and don’t mind occasional bugs, installing Android 17 Beta on a supported Pixel is easy and lets you experience features like the Easter egg before the general public does.

What To Watch

• Beta 5 and beyond: Google typically runs several beta builds before a stable release, so expect more refinements. Each beta can introduce or adjust features.
• Google I/O 2026: Google’s annual developer conference often showcases a major Android preview or feature reveal. Expect Android 17 to take center stage there.
• Stable release window: Based on previous years, Android 17’s public stable release is likely targeting late summer 2026, with Pixel devices getting it first before it rolls out to other Android phones in the following months.
• Broader device rollout: Keep an eye out for Samsung, OnePlus, and other Android manufacturers to announce their own Android 17 update timelines once the stable build is released.