INSIDE your Instagram DMs is a hidden feature that is very addictive – but has nothing to do with pictures.
Better still, it works even if you’ve got no Wi-Fi or phone signal.
There’s a hidden game buried in Instagram’s direct messages that only works if you know where to tap.
It’s not advertised as being there, so you’d only ever really find it by mistake.
The game is also a fairly new addition: it was only added earlier this year.
It’s a pong-style game that asks you to keep an emoji aloft by bouncing it off a paddle at the bottom of the screen.
Earlier this year, a Meta spokersperson told The 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.”
HOW TO FIND INSTAGRAM’S HIDDEN GAME
The game works a lot like a solo game of Pong, or the classic arcade game Breakout – as well as pinball.
You have a single paddle and you’re meant to keep an emoji aloft.
With every successful bounce on the paddle, you’ll earn a point.
And the emoji will move faster as the game progresses, making it increasingly difficult to keep it in the air.
To find the game, simply send an emoji – any emoji will do – in an Instagram DM.
Then simply tap on the emoji to be transported to the hidden game.
The game will use whatever emoji you decided to send and tap.
If you can’t see it, make sure that you’ve updated your phone and Instagram app to their latest versions.
GAME ON!
Here’s a quick gaming tip from The Sun’s tech expert Sean Keach…
You can play plenty of arcade classics just by heading to the regular Google website.
They can be summoned up just by making simple search queries – and don’t cost a penny to enjoy.
If you type in any of the following game names, a Google widget will appear at the top of the page that lets you play each respective title.
Try these out:
- Solitaire
- Tic Tac Toe
- Snake
- Pac Man
They should load up on both mobile and desktop, and will give you that fantastic hit of nostalgia.
The best part about the game is that it doesn’t require any phone signal or Wi-Fi.
So you can enjoy it on an airplane if you want to kill some time.
BONUS GAME FOR GOOGLE FANS
There’s also another great no-internet game built into the Google Chrome app.
Load up the app, then turn your Wi-Fi and phone signal off.
Try to load up a website and you’ll get an error page that includes a small dinosaur icon.
Tap it and you’ll find yourself suddenly playing an infinite runner game.
Tap the screen to make the little dinosaur jump.
You’ll need to dodge the obstacles to keep running for as long as possible – earning points as you go.
