There’s a new way to play Google Chrome’s secret game on your iPhone

If you’re a longtime Google Chrome user, you’re probably familiar with the hidden dinosaur game. If you’re not, the game is available whenever you lose your internet connection and find yourself on the “There is no internet connection” error page. As well as some handy tips about how to get back online and start browsing again, there is a small pixelated dinosaur character on-screen. Tapping the space bar kickstarts an endless running-style game, where you’ll need to tap the space bar to leap over cacti and other obstacles.

Unofficially called The Dinosaur Game, the game is now coming to your iPhone in a way we never expected. Yes, the game was already available in the iOS version of Google Chrome, so browser users who lose their internet connection have been able to play the endless running title for a little while.

However, who wants to wait until their Wi-Fi or 4G connection kicks the proverbial bucket to play?

That’s where the latest update to Chrome comes in. According to a beta version of Chrome version 91, Google is bringing a widget for your iPhone home screen that lets iOS users jump straight into the game. On iPhone, you will be able to place the widget anywhere on your homescreen. Tapping on it will launch a new browser window with The Dinosaur Game ready to go.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to play The Dinosaur Game within the widget itself.

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That’s not something Google has coded into its widget deliberately, but instead, it’s a limitation of widgets on iOS. As it stands, Apple only allows developers to use widgets as a shortcut to launch the app.

It’s not possible to code iOS widgets as small interactive apps. So, tapping on the icon will launch The Dinosaur Game within your existing Chrome app. Nevertheless, it’s still a much quicker way to jump into the game, try to beat your high score, and then jump out of the app. If you’re waiting for a train or bus and don’t fancy launching a more elaborate game – like Super Mario Run, or Grand Theft Auto – it’s a fun little distraction.