So what are you supposed to do when accessing Flash files? You can either give up or quickly install Adobe Flash Player on Android yourself. There are two ways that you can do this, one much safer than the other. First, you can install a Flash APK from another source, but this varies with your version of Android. On the other hand, you can install a browser that comes with built-in Flash Player capabilities. Luckily, both are quick, painless, and explained in full here.
Method 1: Installing an Adobe Flash Player APK (Android 4.0 and Below)
Let’s start with installing an APK. This Installing an APK file is the least safe of the two methods, and only works on Android 4.0 and below. If you’re running Lollipop, Marshmallow, or Nougat, this method isn’t an option using official sources. It’s possible to find Flash Player Sources for Android version above 4.0, but you run the risk of opening your phone up to infection. Security risks aside, this is one of the best ways to quickly install Android Flash Player on your Android. Before you download any files, you need to get your Android device ready to accept them. We’re downloading and installing an APK, which means your device needs special permission to complete the installation.
Step 1:
Open your Settings.Scroll down to Security, and select it.
Scroll down on the new menu until you reach Unknown Sources.
Toggle or select the option to enable it.
Now you can install any APK you want with ease.
Step 2:
We need the APK we want to install. The best way to get these APKs is straight from the source. Adobe has archived, older versions, of their Flash Player for both PC as well as Android. You can find them here; the Android versions are further down the list. Download the version that corresponds to your version of Android. Are you on Android 4.0? Download the latest 4.0 release. Are you on Android 2.0? Download the latest 2.x release and et cetera. If you already have Step 1 of this process completed, you can install the APK right after downloading if you download the file through your phone. If you downloaded the file on PC, please refer to the next step. Otherwise, you’re free to use your newly installed Flash Player.
Step 3:
Let’s say the APK file is on your PC instead of your device, in that case; you’ll need to make of an SD card, micro USB cable, or a file sharing service to the move the file from one place to another. Alternatively, you can just download the file again, but through your Android device’s browser. Regardless of how you move the file, you still need to install it. After the file is downloaded, the only way to do this is through a file explorer, like File Commander, or ES File Explorer. In either app, just search for the name of your APK, and you’ll find it in seconds. You can then quickly install Adobe Flash Player on your Android device and use it however you like.
Method 2: Using a Browser with Adobe Flash Player Built-in(Android 4.0 and Up)
This method is much safer than installing an APK file since all of your downloads will be done through the Google Play Store. Below are some different Android web browsers that have Adobe Flash Player included, with no extra installation needed.
1. Photon Flash Player & Browser
First up is a browser from Appverse Incorporated. Something to note upfront is that Photon requires Android 4.1 and up to work, so this is really for someone using KitKat or above that can’t use one of the Flash Player APKs. Straight from their app page, Photon supports both Flash video and applications. So if you like browsing sites that use Flash liberally, this is a great browser for extended use. If you ever want to take a trip back in time and browse the Newgrounds portal, be my guest with Photon. Photon Flash Player & Browser
2. Puffin Web Browser
Besides being adorable, puffins doubly serve as Flash ready web browsers, or at least this one does. Puffin requires Android 4.0 and up, so if you’re below that, try installing an APK instead. Puffin boasts higher speeds than Chrome and utilizes cloud encryption to keep you safe while browsing and interacting with Flash files. Since Flash isn’t the safest program in the world and extra protection is well appreciated. Puffin Web Browser
3. Dolphin – Best Web Browser
Last, and in no way least, is probably the most well-known Flash browser, Dolphin. With over 100,000,000 downloads, it’s hard not to look at Dolphin as the most trusted browser on the Play Store. Dolphin strives to make your Android browser just like one on PC, and for most users, it succeeds. It has a large number of add-ons that let you customize your experience, and thankfully a Flash player built-in to the browser. Dolphin is one of the best, if not the best way to install Adobe Flash Player quickly on your Android, so download it if you haven’t already. Dolphin Web Browser
Conclusion
Even though Adobe Flash is no longer a part of the stock Android experience, it’s quick and easy to get it back. Whether you install an APK, or just download a new browser that has it built-in, Flash is easy to install using just a few minutes of your time. Flash is used for many things, but what do you use Flash for? We’re interested to hear about it below and can even help with any troubleshooting problems along the way. Featured Image Credit
