Software developers love hiding surprises in their creations – from secret games to tongue-in-cheek messages. Below we’ve compiled a structured list of Easter eggs across various desktop software, mobile apps, and websites. They’re grouped by category and platform type, with details on what the Easter egg is, how to trigger it, and whether it’s still active or retired. Enjoy exploring these hidden gems! 🎉
Desktop Software
| Software (Platform) | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Microsoft Excel 95 (Windows) | “Hall of Tortured Souls” – A hidden 3D Doom-like maze featuring photos and names of the Excel 95 developers. | In Excel 95, create a new workbook. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift and click About Microsoft Excel in the Help menu. A window opens with a first-person 3D maze; navigate it to find the dev team’s hidden images. | Retired (only in Excel 95). |
| OpenOffice Calc (OpenOffice.org 2.x on Windows/Linux) | Star Wars Space Invaders Game – A retro-style space shooter mini-game hidden in the spreadsheet. | In OpenOffice Calc, select cell A1, then enter the formula =GAME("StarWars") and press Enter. | Retired (only in older OpenOffice.org versions). |
| Google Sheets (Web) | Pride Mode – Typing a special word triggers a rainbow-colored Easter egg. | Open a new Google Sheets spreadsheet and type the letters P R I D E in separate consecutive column headers. | Active. |
Desktop Software
| Software (Platform) | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| GNU Emacs (macOS/Linux) | Virtual Therapist (“Doctor” mode) – Emacs contains an ELIZA-like chatbot therapist. | Open emacs, press Shift+Esc, then X, type doctor, and hit Enter. | Active. |
| µTorrent (Windows) | Tetris Mini-Game – A hidden playable Tetris game inside the BitTorrent client. | Open Help → About in µTorrent, then press T. | Active. |
Internet & Web Services
Desktop Software (Web Browsers)
| Software (Platform) | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Google Chrome (All) | Offline Dinosaur Game – A pixel-art T-Rex endless runner game. | Disable internet and open any webpage or go to chrome://dino, then press Space. | Active. |
| Mozilla Firefox (All) | “The Book of Mozilla” – A hidden scripture with apocalyptic verses. | Type about:mozilla in the address bar. | Active. |
Websites and Web Apps
| Website / Service | Easter Egg Description & Category | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Google Search | Barrel Roll – Search page spins 360°. | Search “do a barrel roll” or “z or r twice”. | Active. |
| Google Search | Askew – Tilts the search results page. | Search “askew”. | Active. |
| YouTube | “Awesome” Rainbow Progress Bar – Progress bar changes colors. | Focus the video player and type awesome. | Active. |
| BuzzFeed | Konami Code Confetti – Flying shapes animation. | Enter ↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A on the keyboard. | Active. |
Websites
| Platform | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Facebook | Konami Code Lens Flare – Adds light effects to interaction. | Enter ↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A on Facebook’s homepage. | Retired. |
| Google Hangouts | Pony Parade & Dino – Typing commands triggers animations. | Type /ponies, /ponystream, or /shydino in chat. | Retired. |
Mobile Apps
| Platform | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Facebook Messenger | Basketball Game – Emoji-based mini-game. | Send 🏀 emoji and tap it. | Retired. |
Operating Systems & Assistants
Desktop OS
| Software (Platform) | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Windows 95 | Secret Credits (CLOUDS Music) – Hidden animated credits sequence. | Rename a folder with three specific phrases sequentially. | Retired. |
Mobile OS & Voice Assistants
| Software | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Android OS | Version Easter Eggs – Interactive games and visuals per version. | Go to Settings → About Phone → Android Version, tap multiple times. | Active. |
| Apple Siri | Siri’s Comical Responses – Humorous replies to specific questions. | Ask “What is zero divided by zero?” or pop culture questions. | Active. |
Games
Console Games
| Game | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Adventure (Atari 2600) | Hidden Creator’s Room – First known video game Easter egg. | Use a hidden gray dot to enter a secret chamber. | Active. |
PC Games
| Game | Easter Egg Description | How to Access/Trigger | Status |
|---|
| Minecraft | Name Tag Tricks – Upside-down mobs and rainbow sheep. | Use name tags “Dinnerbone”, “Grumm”, or “jeb_”. | Active. |
| Trials Evolution | Century-Spanning Treasure Hunt – Puzzles and real-world keys. | Decode in-game clues starting from wooden planks. | Active (to be completed in 2113). |
