If you don’t pay attention, you could miss it. There is a secret alligator emoji game hidden in your TikTok DMs. And while this news is coming on April Fools’ Day, it’s no joke—this easter egg (on the first day of Passover) is real!
Here’s what to know.
How to find TikTok’s hidden emoji game in your DMs
Here’s how to find it: Go into your TikTok messages as if you were sending a DM, and send an emoji, then look for a tiny link that reads “Tap emoji to play emoji game.” Click the link, and you’ll see a green screen with alligators and floating emoji.
Use your finger to swipe up on the profile picture of whomever you are messaging at the time, and viola, start bouncing on the alligators as you swipe up! However, beware of the skeleton alligators—users need to avoid them to keep a streak going. TikTok will show your high score (mine was 369 miles high, after a few tries), as well as your opponents’ scores if they join in the competition.
Fast Company has reached out to TikTok for more context on the new feature. The social media giant told TechCrunch the game is available via one-on-one direct messaging and via group chats.
While we don’t endorse all trends found on TikTok (we are looking at you, hot water trend—which, while detoxifying, has burnt a few mouths!), the emoji game is pure, clean fun that we can get behind.
That’s not to say we don’t see through TikTok’s marketing as just another way to hook us on more doomscrolling—but this is the kind of time-waster that can actually bring a bit of joy to your day. And don’t forget to wish your friends a Happy April Fools’ Day!