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Android 7 Nougat hides a small cat-collecting Easter egg called Android Neko. It first appeared in Android N Developer Preview 5 (DP5) and was also included in the Nougat release. To play, unlock the Easter egg in Settings, add its hidden tile to Quick Settings, then place food in the dish and wait for a cat notification.
These steps are for Nougat-era phones. Menu names and tile availability can differ on manufacturer-customized devices, and newer Android versions use different Easter eggs.
Before you start
Check Settings > About phone > Android version. Android 7.0 is API level 24; Android 7.1 is API level 25. On some phones, the version information is under System > About phone, About device, or Software information. The Google/AOSP steps below are the baseline, but a manufacturer may rename, hide, or omit the Easter egg.
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1. Unlock Android Neko
- Open Settings, then go to About phone (or the equivalent menu on your device).
- Tap Android version repeatedly—often three quick taps—until the large Nougat N appears.
- Tap the N several times, then press and hold it until a small cat symbol or cat-face indicator appears near the logo.
Some builds respond to a few quick taps followed by a long press rather than one continuous gesture. The appearance of the N logo alone does not mean the cat game is unlocked; look for the cat indicator.
2. Add the hidden tile to Quick Settings
- Return to the home screen and swipe down from the top twice to fully expand Quick Settings.
- Tap Edit, the pencil icon, or—on some manufacturer interfaces—the three-dot menu and Button order.
- Find an inactive tile named Android Easter Egg. It may instead appear as ???? Android Easter Egg or as a cat-head icon.
- Press and hold the tile, drag it into the active Quick Settings area, then save or exit the editor.
The tile should initially read Empty dish. If you only unlock the N logo but do not add this tile, you have not reached the feeding interface.
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3. Put out food and collect a cat
- Tap Empty dish in Quick Settings.
- Choose one of the available foods. The original DP5 options were bits, fish, chicken, and treat; wording and icons can vary between builds.
- Wait. The game is passive: the dish is left in place and a cat may arrive later. There is no fixed arrival time to rely on.
- When Android displays A cat is here, tap the notification to open the collection and add the visitor.
To attract another visitor, return to the tile and refill the dish after a cat arrives. The feature works through the system interface and background service; you do not need to keep a game screen open. Android Neko is a lightweight collector, not a game with levels or a story.
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Tap a cat in the collection to rename it. On builds that support sharing, long-press a cat to share its image. Collection access is commonly reached through the arrival notification or the Easter Egg interface; do not assume Nougat provides a universally visible launcher icon.
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Troubleshooting
The N logo appears, but there is no cat indicator
- Tap the N a few more times, then press and hold it for several seconds.
- Back out of About phone and repeat the sequence.
- Confirm that the phone is actually running Android 7.0 or a compatible Nougat preview; check Software information if the version entry is nested elsewhere.
- Restart and try again if the gesture still does not register.
The Android Easter Egg tile is missing
- Expand Quick Settings fully and scroll through the inactive tiles.
- Search for question marks or a cat icon rather than only the name “Android Neko.”
- Try rotating the phone or making room by removing another tile.
- If the device uses heavily modified firmware or a custom ROM, the Easter egg may have been removed or disabled.
The dish is filled, but no cat arrives
- Confirm that you selected food; opening the tile alone does not fill the dish.
- Leave the phone idle for a while. Arrival timing can vary.
- Check whether notifications are enabled for the Easter egg or relevant system interface.
- Battery saver or aggressive background management may interfere with the service, particularly on a manufacturer-customized phone.
The notification disappeared before I opened it
Try reopening the Android Easter Egg interface or using the cat tile to reach the collection, where supported. The feature does not necessarily have a separate app icon in the launcher.
Is Android Neko the same as Neko Atsume?
Android Neko borrows the basic pleasure of putting out food and waiting for cats that made Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector recognizable, but it is a much smaller Easter egg. The full game is a separate app with more persistent collection mechanics and a larger play environment. Its Google Play listing currently states Android OS 11.0 or higher, so it is not a practical replacement for the original Nougat feature on a Nougat-era phone.
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- [Advanced Electronic Irregular Motion]: Powered by a smart motorized system, this electric cat toys deliver irregular movements to keep your cat entertained. The play experience includes spinning, chasing, and hunting elements that mimic real-life prey, especially the chasing feather that pops out unpredictably, stimulating your kitty's brain and senses
- [Multi Modes for Indoor Fun]: Features a range of captivating movement modes that stimulate cat's natural instincts to chase, pounce, and play. 3 rotating modes of chasing feather; Simultaneous or seperate working of chasing feather and spinning butterlfy; What's more, the cover can be removed to expose the chasing feather completely for more fun. The diverse play options ensure your cat gets the mental and physical stimulation and enough exercise to eliminate boredom
- [Durable]: Built to withstand even the most aggressive play sessions, thanks to its durable design and high-quality materials. The motors inside the toy are designed to move smoothly and resist wear and tear. Whether your cat loves to chew, scratch, or paw at their toys, Potaroma's cat toy can handle it all. Experience the magic of Potaroma's interactive cat toy, making it a must-have for cat owners seeking a durable and entertaining option for their pets
- [Rechargeable & Large Capacity Battery]: Provide hours of fun for your furry friend. With a built-in rechargeable battery that offers a long-lasting charge, your kitten can enjoy uninterrupted self playtime for up to several days. No need for frequent recharging, making it a convenient choice for busy pet owners. Keep your cat entertained and happy with our innovative cat toys, featuring a battery that's as powerful as your cat's curiosity
Does this work on newer Android versions?
Not as a built-in Nougat feature. Android Easter eggs change across releases; Android 11, for example, brought back cat collecting through a different Cat Controls interface. A current phone should not be expected to show the Nougat N logo gesture and Android Easter Egg tile.
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Why DP5 is mentioned
Android Neko was first revealed in Android N Developer Preview 5, released in July 2016, but it was not limited to that preview: the feature also appears in the Nougat release branch. The original reports describe the N-logo activation and feeding flow; the Nougat AOSP manifest and Android 7.0 documentation provide release context. In practice, whether a particular Android 7.x phone exposes the feature depends on its firmware.
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