Here is how to enable Adobe Flash support in Android 4.4 KitKat

posted by Victor H. / Nov 29, 2013, 8:20 AM

Here is how to enable Adobe Flash support in Android 4.4 KitKat

Android used to be the land of the free allowing all sorts of liberties including support for Adobe Flash, but since Android 4.1 Jelly Bean launched in June 2012, Adobe itself stopped developing Flash for mobile and the out-of-the-box support for the technology disappeared. The door for Flash remained opened until 4.3, though, as the AOSP Android browser shipping on every smartphone still supported Flash. Mobile Chrome did not play nice with it, but browsers such as Dolphin and Puffin (but really many others as well) filled in the gap and playing back Flash remained something that one could enable relatively easily.

With Android 4.4 KitKat (and all future versions for that matter), Google moves to Chromium for its WebView and this means Android now no longer supports Flash at all.

The reality of the situation, though, is that Flash is still on a lot of websites, and the lack of support results in some webpages getting displayed with huge blank spots instead of a video or other Flash content. Is there a way to somehow work around Google’s limitations and get Flash to work in the latest Android 4.4 KitKat?

Turns out the answer is yes, and it’s all made very simple by a member of the XDA Developers community, user surviveland. The solution he built relies on the Dolphin Browser - that seems to be best suited to the task - and on a hacked version of the Flash player. It also requires you to allow side-loading applications, so that you can actually install the hacked Flash player that makes it all possible.

We have just tried it on a Nexus 5 and it all works flawlessly. Just follow the instructions right below, and your Nexus 5 or freshly updated Android 4.4 device will once again play Flash with ease.

1) Download Dolphin Browser in the Google Play

Warning: You must download the Dolphin Jetpack in the Google Play as well. As far as I have noticed, Dolphin Jetpack better solves the compatibility with flash player, such as crash issue & freeze issue in full screen.

Latest version of Dolphin Browser

Latest version of Dolphin Jetpack

2) Download the hacked flash player HERE

Warning: Make sure that you have uninstall the flash player installed in your device and then install the hacked one for compatibility reason.

If your devices refused to install apk outside Google Play, you may set in your device (Settings> Securities> Unknown resources) to allow installation of apps from unknown sources.

3) Make sure that the flash setting in Dolphin Browser (Click Menu>Settings>Web Content>Flash Player) is on.

Keep in mind that since this is not an official release it might not work perfectly smooth, and of course enabling Flash comes with enabling all the vulnerabilities of the technology. Still, in our experience, it all worked just fine, without any issues.

Note: You can use this how-to tutorial guide to enable Adobe Flash on Android KitKat-running phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Note 3, HTC One (M8), LG G3, LG G2, Sony Xperia Z2, Moto X, Moto G, etc.

source: XDA Developers via Reddit

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41 Comments

1. mr.techdude

Posts: 571; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

I did it yayyy, it didn't work, as a matter if fact it switched off my nexus 7 and can't turn back on. I'm so done

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 8:52 AM 2

9. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

Try harder troll.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 12:26 PM 15

10. Finalflash

Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

It isn't him trolling, he is just stupid. The tablet probably ran out of batteries and now he's stumped as to what the problem could be.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:20 PM 11

15. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

lol.......my stomach hurts ;D

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:49 PM 0

40. David62

Posts: 1; Member since: Jul 30, 2014

On the adobe flash 4.4 I have downloaded dolphin/jetpack made sure unknown sources is accepted received adobe flash but can't install. (Conflict)

posted on Jul 30, 2014, 10:06 PM 0

2. GoBears

Posts: 456; Member since: Apr 27, 2012

Then you really need to change your screen name.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 9:05 AM 32

3. Reality_Check

Posts: 277; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

Hahaha... That was hilarious !! :D

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 9:35 AM 2

11. Finalflash

Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Very nicely done, but you should have replied to his comment so other people would be able to see your excellent kick to his teeth.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:21 PM 6

4. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Is anyone else getting 'There was a problem while parsing the package' when installing the flash player ? Dunno why I keep getting that error on all non-playstore downloaded apps on my Moto G with android 4.3. Any suggestions anyone ? (download from unknown source is enabled) Thanks.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 9:44 AM 0

5. Jobayer

Posts: 167; Member since: Feb 22, 2013

This problem occurs because you using 4.3 its made for 4.4

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 10:11 AM 4

14. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Typical me. Didn't read it was only for 4.4. Thanks

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:37 PM 1

6. Long1

Posts: 399; Member since: May 18, 2013

With 4.3, just downlowd the last flash, from the site. You don't need this .

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 10:23 AM 3

7. medicci37

Posts: 1361; Member since: Nov 19, 2011

I don't see any flash player installed on my device 2 uninstall in the first place. Seems to work

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 10:38 AM 0

8. alpinejason

Posts: 262; Member since: Sep 06, 2011

Cool at least people no longer have to be cut off from flash since the majority of videos on the web still use flash

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 10:40 AM 1

12. Finalflash

Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Not a majority but a large amount still do.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:22 PM 1

13. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

Its been slowly switching to html5.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:36 PM 0

16. garlic456

Posts: 251; Member since: Dec 24, 2012

Thank you PA. Now I can watch porn with my Nexus 7 2013 again :)

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 2:12 PM 0

17. Gemmol

Posts: 793; Member since: Nov 09, 2011

for a person like me who do not like to do all these extra stuff in my droid phone, I will just have to live without flash.......call me lazy or whatever, I just like to use my phone the way it came out the box dont get me wrong all the extra stuff is just benefits, but I refuse to go through such and such just to get my phone to do this or that

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 4:57 PM 1

34. kelldawg87

Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 13, 2013

I don't think you realize that the "extra stuff" you refuse to do is 90% of the smartphone experience and is the single biggest reason behind the mobile tech revolution. Apps, or "extra stuff", are programs designed for your phone, most of which are not there out of the box. I guess you could say they are designed to get your phone to do "this and that". If you ever decide you want try out a cool news app or get curious about all this Angry Birds stuff, just go to the Google Play Store (which is on your phone out of the box) - 1. Browse/search for app 2. Click install. Trust me, once you've seen how much you've limited the usefulness of your phone by just using it out of the box you'll kick yourself for going out of the way to announce your refusal to make your phone do extra stuff! By the way, this article is the same thing - install 3 apps and your phone will do something new. It might have taken me about ~60 sec longer to get flash than it took you to type up the post where you tell everyone who read the article, and is following the directions, that you refuse to waste your time doing what they're doing because unlike them, you are happy with your phone out of the box.

posted on Dec 13, 2013, 10:40 PM 1

18. Edmund

Posts: 656; Member since: Jul 13, 2012

Flash works quite well on my Surface (RT model).

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 5:07 PM 1

35. LoveHater

Posts: 234; Member since: Oct 09, 2013

Does your Surface Rt work well :::::::?????/

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 7:45 PM 2

19. rcritchey

Posts: 1; Member since: Nov 29, 2013

Thanks so much for the assistance. Works great.

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 9:09 PM 1

20. kabhijeet.16

Posts: 882; Member since: Dec 05, 2012

Use firefox for flash support

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 11:22 PM 0

21. Tux_Alan

Posts: 74; Member since: Jan 30, 2013

What about Puffin????? Interface sure ain't pretty but it's clever workarounds make it hell of an efficiency monster!!!!! No browser can rival its performances! Do wish it didnt look straight outta 2009 though... And then some

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 11:41 PM 0

22. weedl

Posts: 50; Member since: Oct 05, 2012

nice ^_^

posted on Nov 30, 2013, 7:03 AM 1

23. kindlefireowner

Posts: 504; Member since: Dec 05, 2011

I will stick to the free version of Photon browser. I hate the ads, but it's free and plays flash with no problem.

posted on Nov 30, 2013, 10:35 AM 0

24. true1984

Posts: 861; Member since: May 23, 2012

One of the few good things the htc one (yes few) is flash support. I hope that they can put it in 4.4 as w ell

posted on Nov 30, 2013, 10:01 PM 1

25. sam_windsor

Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

its not working on my N7, I did follow all the steps not sure why ? any ideas?

posted on Dec 01, 2013, 1:32 PM 0

26. yo_nutzu

Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 03, 2013

It works only in normal screen mode. On full screen mode flash player is not responding anymore. Is there any solution for this problem? Thanks!

posted on Dec 03, 2013, 3:50 AM 0

27. klarry

Posts: 5; Member since: Dec 03, 2013

I just purchased a nexus 7 2013. I watch and listen to websites like Pandora. All need adobe flash, I followed the steps to install Dalphin and the adobe flash hacked. It now works. This means I do not have to return it to best buy. I will not go without flash. My major question is - What happens when a required flash update occurs? This now works due to a hacked version as I understand it. The ability to maintain a usuable flash player is the only way I will keep the tablet, so not knowing if future version will work or not still makes me think I may return the tablet.

posted on Dec 03, 2013, 6:41 PM 0

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