How to Enable Adobe Flash Player on Mac?

As a Mac user, you may have experienced the frustration of encountering websites or software that require Adobe Flash Player (AFP) to display videos or multimedia components. And what if you don’t have it installed on your Mac? Or why should you care about what browser to choose if there are more convenient alternatives to AFP?

Moreover, AFP has had several challenges over the years. Among the latest, in 2021, Adobe stopped supporting Flash due to the likes of HTML-5 and WebGL, since they allow videos and games to run seamlessly without having to install a specific plugin.

But if you’ve encountered a website or software that still needs AFP, this guide will show you how to enable Adobe Flash Player on your Mac.  

BEFORE WE START

 

When using Chrome and Safari, you’re likely to come across banners and annoying ads that’ll slow your browser down. Also, these ads can track you and your internet history, leaving you as a target for sellers attempting to give you better deals. To stop annoying ads, banners, and trackers, use MacKeeper’s StopAd tool and surf the web safely with no interruptions.

 

Here’s how to block selected sites with MacKeeper’s StopAd:

1. Download MacKeeper
2. Launch MacKeeper and select StopAd in the left side pane
3. Click Install next to Chrome/Safari
4. You’ll be redirected to your selected browser, and then click Add Extension.

You’ll be happy to know it’s a breeze to unblock Adobe Flash Player on your Mac. All you have to do is head to the settings of your selected browser and allow an option to enable Flash.

How to enable Adobe Flash Player in Safari?

First, you’ll need to establish which version of Safari you’re using. To figure out what version of Safari you have, launch Safari and click the Safari menu > About Safari, and you’ll see the version in the small pop-up window. If you’re using Safari 14 and later, you can't unblock Adobe Flash, so you’d have to downgrade your current version to enable it.

Here’s how to turn on Adobe Flash Player in Safari:

1. Open Safari
2. Click the Safari menu > Preferences
3. Click the Websites tab
4. Underneath the Plugin tab on the left, you’ll find Adobe Flash Player
5. Tick the box next to Adobe Flash Player
6. In the When visiting other websites drop-down menu, select On.

How to turn on Adobe Flash Player in Google Chrome?

As of 2021, Adobe stopped supporting the Flash Player plugin for Chrome, so you may find that it could be blocked after Chrome's auto-update. But don’t worry, if you still have Flash in Chrome, it’s easy to activate Adobe Flash Player on your Mac.

Follow these steps to switch on Adobe Flash Player in Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome
2. Select the three dots in the top right and click Settings
3. Scroll down and click Advanced
4. Scroll down again and choose Content Settings
5. Select Flash in the menu
6. Toggle the switch to on to enable Flash Player.

After learning how to turn on Adobe Flash Player on your Mac, you’ll know how to open videos on multiple browsers with ease. Now why don’t you become a pro dealing with other formats, such as images and PDF? Check out how to edit pictures on Mac and how to edit PDF on Mac.

How to allow Adobe Flash Player in Microsoft Edge?

Like the other popular browsers, you can enable Flash Player super quickly with Microsoft Edge.

Follow these steps to enable Adobe Flash Player in Microsoft Edge:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge
2. Click the three dots in the top left and click Settings
3. Select Site Permissions
4. Next to Ask before running Flash, toggle the switch on (it’ll turn blue and white when it’s on).

How to get Adobe Flash Player to work in Mozilla Firefox?

Version 69 of Firefox implemented a change by eliminating the option to unblock Adobe Flash for all websites. Consequently, enabling Adobe Flash on specific sites became mandatory.  

Once you land on a site that employs Flash, you'll encounter a notification which allows you to permit or prohibit Flash usage for that website.  

Here’s how to activate Adobe Flash Player in Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox
2. Click the three lines in the top right and select Add Ons
3. Select Plugins and click the three dots next to Shockwave Flash
4. Choose Ask to Activate
5. Firefox displays an icon beside the address bar once Flash content is detected. This icon empowers you to either enable or disable Flash for that specific site
6. Click the icon and choose Allow.

Remember to click Allow when you visit a website with Flash content. Firefox won't remember your preferences and will prompt you to allow Flash content, even if you visit the same site in a new tab right after.  

Flash’s time is running out, but you know the drill

Adobe Flash Player was a major tool in the digital world, but its usage has been limited since 2021. However, if you still need to allow Adobe Flash Player on your Mac, you know the reliable steps to take.

Besides enabling the player, you should consider using MacKeeper's StopAd tool that blocks annoying ads on all/selected sites. Moreover, it helps stop online trackers from following you, allowing you to browse faster, which is beneficial to your Mac’s performance.