SWF, short for Shockwave Flash, is a file format for vector graphics created by Adobe. The primary objective of this file was to create small files for displaying entertaining animations. But then in 2021, SWF files are no longer supported in major web browsers. As a result, not a lot of people know how to play SWF files on Android if they want to play nostalgic games again.
There are a few ways on how you can play SWF files on your Android phone. Some will require you to download an app and some will require you to download a browser. In this article, we’ll be giving you a detailed guide on multiple ways on how to play SWF files on Android.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- How to Play SWF Files on Android – Offline
- SWF Player – Flash File Viewer
- Flash Game Player NEW
- How to Play SWF Files on Android – Online
- Puffin Web Browser
- FAQ
How to Play SWF Files on Android – Offline
The applications we’re going to discuss will allow you to play SFW files offline. These applications will let you access your downloaded SFW files in an interface that is similar to your file explorer.
1. SWF Player – Flash File Viewer
SWF Player is an app that has been around for quite some time now. It currently has over 5 million downloads in Google Play Store but it is only rated as 2.7 stars.
Some users rated the app low because the app plays their SWF files as a video instead of as an interactive game. But then a lot of users also report that the app works fine on their end. This app may work well depending on the device so it’s worth a shot to try it out.
This app will require you to install the Adobe® Flash® Player Plugin for it to work. The app will simply prompt a message that you need to install the plugin to your device if you try to open an SWF file.
To open SWF files with SWF players, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Tap on your SWF Player to launch the application.
- If you’re opening the application for the first time, it will ask for your permission to access your files. Simply tap on Confirm then Allow.
- Once the application is open, look for your SWF files by tapping on the Local Files. This functions like your usual File Explorer.
- Once you’ve located your SWF file, simply tap on it to launch it.
While the file is playing, simply tap on the back button of your Android phone to open the screen controls. The application offers a keyboard option or a D-pad option so you’ll be able to play flash games.
2. Flash Game Player NEW
This application currently has over 1 million downloads in Google Play Store but unfortunately has only 2.9 stars as a rating. It’s the newer version of Flash Game Player Classic. The developers noted that they have optimized the app’s engine so users can now play flash almost at full speed.
Flash Game Player NEW also boasts that it can function without needing to install the Adobe Flash Player plugin. This new version also has optimized the gamepad configuration and can now be set to be transparent.
To open your SWF files on Flash Game Player New, all you need to do is follow these steps:
- Tap on your Flash Game Player NEW to launch the application.
- If you’re opening the application for the first time, it will ask for your permission to load files from your SD card. It will also ask for your permission to access photos, media contents, and files on your device. Simply tap Ok and Allow to continue.
- Once the application is open, look for your SWF files. The interface is just like a File Explorer so you won’t have a hard time navigating your way around.
- Once you’ve located your SWF file, simply tap on it to launch it.
How to Play SWF Files on Android – Online
The next application we’ll be discussing will allow you to access SFW files that are present on websites. Sometimes we have a hard time accessing sites that have SFW animations since major browsers don’t support Flash anymore. So, here’s a solution!
Puffin Web Browser
Puffin Web Browser is a free-to-download application but requires the user to pay for a subscription to fully work.
Does that mean that you can’t use the app for free? Not exactly. You will be allowed to use the app for one hour per day. This will be your trial period so you can try out the features of the application.
But don’t worry too much about the subscription hindering you from fully maximizing the use of this app. The subscription is only a dollar per month and $10 per year. If you enjoy the features that come with the app then it’s definitely a worthwhile buy.
One of the features of Puffin Web Browser is that it has Flash Support. This means that if you go to a website that has Flash animations, Puffin Web Browser will be able to play it. This browser will also allow you to play Flash games directly online without needing to download any other plugin.
So how do you use Puffin Web Browser to access online SWF files? Here are a few steps you need to follow:
- Tap on Puffin Web Browser to launch the application.
- If you’re opening the app for the first time, it will have a short introduction to its features. Simply tap on Next and finally Get Started.
- Go to the website where you’ll be accessing the SWF file. Since there are no more plugins to download, you’ll be able to instantly play the SWF file.
FAQs
Why do you need to find an application to run SWF files?
Most major browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have stopped supporting SWF files or Flash. Because of this, you’ll need an app or a different browser to access SWF files.
Why did major browsers stop supporting SWF or Flash?
Back then, Flash was present in a considerably large portion of the web. Because of this, it quickly grew in popularity and quickly became a target for hackers. Because of this, Flash became a security risk. Adobe tried to fix Flash but it couldn’t so in 2017, the company made a decision to stop developing Flash. By the end of 2020, Flash is officially unsupported.
Does this mean that I won’t be able to play any of the old classic SFW games?
Of course not! You will still be able to play the classic SFW games through the use of the apps discussed above.
Can I play these SFW games offline?
Yup! You can download these SFW games and run them with SWF Player – Flash File Viewer or Flash Game Player NEW. You’ll be able to play these games on your Android phone offline.
Where can I download SFW games?
You can easily find SFW games on the internet. Simply type “download SFW games” and tons of suggestions will appear.
Key Takeaway
Most major browsers have stopped supporting Flash because of security concerns. But this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to play those old classic and nostalgic SFW games. You can always learn how to play SWF files on Android. You can then download the apps we’ve discussed above so you can access your SFW files again.
It’s also worth noting that the security concerns of these major browsers are not to be taken lightly. Please be careful in the SFW files that you download. Hackers are always on the prowl for their next victim.
Do you know any other way of accessing SFW files? We would like to know and maybe we can make a review for that as well! Let us know in the comments down below!
