INSTA-GAME
‘So cool!’ cheer Instagram users after finding new secret game hidden in DMs – an emoji trick unlocks it
There are two other hidden phone games you shouldn't miss
INSTAGRAM has added a secret game into your Direct Messages – and only an emoji can unlock it.
Fans of the app are raving about the new feature, which appears to have quietly inserted in a recent update.
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Instagram now lets you play a special game that involves keeping an emoji aloft by bouncing it off a paddle at the bottom of the screen, as discovered by The U.S. Sun's Patricia Rogers.
It's a little like a vertical solo game of Pong or Breakout for arcades – and you'll earn points for successful bounces on the paddle.
The emoji will move faster as you progress through the game, making it harder to keep in the air.
A Meta spokesperson told The U.S. Sun: "We are always working on ways to make Instagram feel more fun while connecting with friends, and have rolled out a hidden game that can be found in your DMs."
To find the game, send an emoji in an Instagram DM.
Then simply tap on the emoji and you'll be transported to the hidden game.
A small number of Instagram fans have been enjoying the discovery in a Reddit thread posted just two days ago.
One user wrote: "It just happened to me too just right now. I suppose that it is an update."
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Another said: "Just happened to me!! So cool!"
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Users boasted of their high scores, with one Instagram fan claiming they'd hit an impressive 58.
People are just noticing Android phones have 'hidden game' next to your apps – it's totally free and so addictive
But some users complained that they weren't able to see the game.
"Doesn't work for me," moaned one frustrated user, while another said: "Yesterday it worked too, but today as I wanted to show it to one of my friends it doesn't work anymore."
It's unclear how widely the game has rolled out, but The U.S. Sun was able to get it working on several devices.
If you can't access it, it's worth seeing if there are any updates available for Instagram on the Apple App Store for iOS on , and the Google Play Store on Android.
Unfortunately if it still doesn't work for you then it's unclear exactly how to unlock it.
GAME ON
There are some other hidden app games that you should check out.
If you have the official Google app, go to the Tabs panel and the rapidly swipe up on the screen.
This will pull up a hidden game of pinball that you'd very easily miss otherwise.
If you've got Google Chrome, turn your Wi-Fi and mobile internet off then try to load up a website.
You'll get an error page with a small icon of a dinosaur.
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Tap the dinosaur and you'll find yourself playing an infinite runner game.
You'll need to clear obstacles by tapping the screen, and you'll earn a higher score the longer you can run for.
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