{{Short description|Former multimedia software}} {{About|the player|an overview of the platform|Adobe Flash}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox software | name = Adobe Flash Player | logo = Adobe Flash Player 32.svg | logo size = 100px | screenshot = | caption = Adobe Flash (1996-2021) | author = [[FutureWave Software|FutureWave]]<br />[[Macromedia]] | developer = [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe]]<br />Zhongcheng<br />[[Harman International|Harman]] | released = {{Start date and age|1996|1|1}} | ver layout = stacked | programming language = [[ActionScript]] | operating system = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]], [[ChromeOS]], [[Oracle Solaris|Solaris]], [[BlackBerry Tablet OS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Pocket PC]] | platform = [[Web browser]]s and [[ActiveX]]-based software | language = Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Telugu, Turkish, Vietnamese, Xhosa, Yiddish, and Zulu<ref>{{cite web |url=https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer |title=Adobe Flash Player Download |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809234438/https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | genre = [[Runtime system]] and [[browser extension]] | license = [[Freeware]] | website = {{plainlist| * [https://web.archive.org/web/20201230123456/https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer.html Adobe Flash] (archived) * [https://airsdk.harman.com/flashplayer Harman Flash Player Support] (Enterprise version) * [https://www.flash.cn/english Flash China] (China-only version) }} }}
'''Adobe Flash Player''' (known in [[Internet Explorer]], [[Firefox]], and [[Google Chrome]] as '''Shockwave Flash''')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/05/why-you-should-ditch-adobe-shockwave/ |title=Why You Should Ditch Adobe Shockwave |publisher=Krebs on Security |date=May 14, 2014 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525065654/http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/05/why-you-should-ditch-adobe-shockwave/ |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> <!--Attention! do not change "is" to "was", see MOS:TENSE -->is a discontinued<ref group="note">Except in China, where it continues to be used, as well as Harman for enterprise users; and as part of [[Adobe Animate]].</ref> computer program for viewing [[multimedia]] content, executing [[Rich Internet Application|rich Internet application]]s, and [[streaming media|streaming]] audio and video content created on the [[Adobe Flash]] platform. It can run from a [[web browser]] as a browser [[plug-in (computing)|plug-in]] or independently on supported devices. Originally created by [[FutureWave Software|FutureWave]] under the name '''FutureSplash Player''', it was renamed to '''Macromedia Flash Player''' after [[Macromedia]] acquired FutureWave in 1996. After Adobe acquired Macromedia in 2005, it was developed and distributed by [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe]] as Adobe Flash Player. It is currently developed and distributed by Zhongcheng for users in China, and by [[Harman International]] for enterprise users outside of China, in collaboration with Adobe.
Flash Player runs [[SWF]] files that can be created using [[Adobe Animate|Adobe Flash Professional]],<!--Not Adobe Animate; the latter focuses on HTML5--> [[Adobe Flash Builder]], or third-party tools such as FlashDevelop. Flash Player supports video and [[raster graphics]]; [[vector graphics]]; [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]]; embedded audio; and an object-oriented scripting language called [[ActionScript]], which is based on [[ECMAScript]] (similar to [[JavaScript]]). [[Internet Explorer 11]] and [[Microsoft Edge Legacy]] since [[Windows 8]], along with [[Google Chrome]] on all versions of Windows, came bundled with a [[sandbox (computer security)|sandboxed]] Adobe Flash Player plug-in.<ref>[http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.cz/2010/03/dev-channel-update_30.html Integrated Adobe Flash Player Plug-in] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131084726/http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.cz/2010/03/dev-channel-update_30.html |date=January 31, 2013}}, Chrome team blog</ref><ref>[https://blog.chromium.org/2012/08/the-road-to-safer-more-stable-and.html Porting Flash to sandboxed PPAPI platform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725110647/https://blog.chromium.org/2012/08/the-road-to-safer-more-stable-and.html |date=July 25, 2018 }}, Official Chromium Blog</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Player issues | Windows 8 |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-8.html |publisher=Adobe Systems |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210445/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-8.html |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Player Issues | Windows 10 | Internet Explorer |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-10-ie.html |publisher=Adobe Systems |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210544/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-10-ie.html |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Player issues | Windows 10 | Microsoft Edge |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-10-edge.html |publisher=Adobe Systems |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210517/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-issues-windows-10-edge.html |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Flash Player once had a large user base, and was required to run many [[Browser game|web games]], animations, and [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) elements embedded in web pages. Adobe stated in 2013 that more than 400 million out of over 1 billion connected desktops updated to new versions of Flash Player within six weeks of release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/products/flashruntimes/statistics.html |title=Adobe Flash Runtimes Statistics |publisher=Adobe Systems Incorporated |access-date=January 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106053204/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashruntimes/statistics.html |archive-date=January 6, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, Flash Player became increasingly criticized for poor performance, consumption of battery on mobile devices, the number of [[Vulnerability (computing)|security vulnerabilities]] that had been discovered in the software, and its nature as a [[closed platform]] controlled by Adobe. [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] co-founder [[Steve Jobs]] was highly critical of Flash Player, having published an [[Thoughts on Flash|open letter criticising the platform]] and detailing Apple's reasoning for not supporting Flash on its [[iOS]] device family. Its usage further waned due to more modern [[web standards]] which replaced some of Flash's functionality, reducing the need for third-party plugins.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Brian |title=Flash. Must. Die. |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/07/adobe-flash-player-die/ |website=[[Wired.com]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516170811/https://www.wired.com/2015/07/adobe-flash-player-die/ |archive-date=May 16, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaughan-Nichols |first1=Steven J. |title=How to really fix the latest Adobe Flash security hole |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-real-adobe-flash-fix-is-in/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523054636/http://www.zdnet.com/article/the-real-adobe-flash-fix-is-in/ |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Katie |last=Collins |title=Adobe rushes out emergency update for 'critical' Flash security flaw |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-rushes-out-emergency-update-for-critical-flash-security-flaw/ |website=[[CNET]] |date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325070415/https://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-rushes-out-emergency-update-for-critical-flash-security-flaw/ |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> This led to the eventual deprecation of the platform.
Flash Player was officially discontinued on December 31, 2020, and its download page was removed two days later. Since January 12, 2021, Flash Player (original global variants) versions newer than 32.0.0.371, released in May 2020, refuse to play Flash content and instead display a static warning message.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cimpanu |first1=Catalin |title=Adobe to block Flash content from running on January 12, 2021 |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-to-block-flash-content-from-running-on-january-12-2021/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> The software remains supported in mainland China and in some enterprise variants,<ref>{{cite web |title=重橙网络 |trans-title=Flash Center |url=https://www.flash.cn/english |access-date=2021-10-08 |website=www.flash.cn |quote=the exclusive and official distributor of Adobe Flash Player}}</ref> and as part of [[Adobe Animate]].
== Features == Adobe Flash Player is a runtime that executes and displays content from a provided [[SWF]] file, although it has no in-built features to modify the SWF file at runtime. It can execute software written in the [[ActionScript]] programming language, which enables the runtime manipulation of text, data, [[vector graphics]], [[raster graphics]], [[sound]], and [[video]]. The player can also access certain connected hardware devices, including the [[Webcam|web camera]]s and [[microphone]]s, after permission for the same has been granted by the user.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
Flash Player was used internally by the [[Adobe AIR|Adobe Integrated Runtime]] (AIR), to provide a cross-platform runtime environment for [[Application software|desktop applications]] and mobile applications. AIR supports installable applications on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], and some mobile operating systems such as [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]. Flash applications must specifically be built for the AIR runtime to use additional features provided, such as file system integration, native client extensions, native window/screen integration, taskbar/dock integration, and hardware integration with connected [[Accelerometer]] and [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] devices.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/products/air.html AIR 3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821051943/http://www.adobe.com/products/air.html |date=August 21, 2014}}, Adobe</ref>
== Data formats == Flash Player included native support for many [[File format|data formats]], some of which can only be accessed through the [[ActionScript]] scripting interface.
* '''XML:''' Flash Player has included native support for [[XML]] parsing and generation since version 6. XML data is held in memory as an XML [[Document Object Model]], and can be manipulated using ActionScript. ActionScript 3 also supports [[ECMAScript for XML]] (E4X), which allows XML data to be manipulated more easily. * '''JSON:''' Flash Player 11 includes native support for importing and exporting data in the [[JSON|JavaScript Object Notation]] (JSON) format, which allows interoperability with [[web service]]s and [[JavaScript]] programs. * '''AMF:''' Flash Player allows application data to be stored on users computers, in the form of [[Local shared object|Local Shared Object]]s, the Flash equivalent to [[HTTP cookie|browser cookies]].<ref name="adobe-lso">{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/articles/lso/ |title=What are local shared objects? |work=Security and privacy |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=July 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529082335/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/articles/lso/ |archive-date=May 29, 2010}}</ref> Flash Player can also [[Native (computing)|natively]] read and write files in the [[Action Message Format]], the default data format for Local Shared Objects. Since the AMF format specification is published, data can be transferred to and from Flash applications using AMF datasets instead of [[JSON]] or [[XML]], reducing the need for [[parsing]] and [[Data validation|validating]] such data. * '''SWF:''' The specification for the [[SWF]] file format was published by Adobe, enabling the development of the SWX Format project, which used the SWF file format and AMF as a means for Flash applications to exchange data with server-side applications.<ref>[http://swxformat.org/ SWX: SWF Data Format] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817072235/http://swxformat.org/ |date=August 17, 2012}}, official website</ref><ref>[https://code.google.com/p/swxjava/ swxjava – SWX RPC implementation in Java] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607012209/http://code.google.com/p/swxjava/ |date=June 7, 2014}}, Google Code</ref> The SWX system stores data as standard SWF bytecode which is automatically interpreted by Flash Player.<ref>[https://code.google.com/p/swx-format/ swx-format – Data Format] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803222401/http://code.google.com/p/swx-format/ |date=August 3, 2014}}, Google Code</ref> Another [[Open-source software|open-source]] project, SWXml allows Flash applications to load XML files as native ActionScript objects without any client-side XML parsing, by converting XML files to SWF/AMF on the server.<ref>[http://swxformat.org/177 SWX Contest Winners] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818142648/http://swxformat.org/177 |date=August 18, 2012}}, SWX Format Website</ref><ref>[http://aralbalkan.com/1075 Introducing SWXml] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112121226/http://aralbalkan.com/1075 |date=November 12, 2007}}, Aral Balkan</ref>
=== Multimedia formats === Flash Player is primarily a graphics and multimedia platform, and has supported [[raster graphics]] and [[vector graphics]] since its earliest version. It supports the following different multimedia formats, which it can natively [[Parsing|decode]] and play back.
* '''MP3:''' Support for decoding and playback of [[Streaming media|streaming]] [[MP3|MPEG-2 Audio Layer III]] (MP3) audio was introduced in Flash Player 4. MP3 files can be accessed and played back from a server via [[HTTP]], or embedded inside an SWF file, which is also a streaming format. * '''FLV:''' Support for decoding and playing back video and audio inside [[Flash Video]] (FLV and F4V) files, a format developed by [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe Systems]] and [[Macromedia]]. Flash Video is only a container format and supports multiple different video [[codec]]s, such as [[Sorenson Media#Encoding technologies|Sorenson Spark]], [[VP6]], and more recently [[Advanced Video Coding|H.264]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash H.264 |publisher=[[MainConcept]] |url=http://www.mainconcept.com/products/sdks/video/flash.html |access-date=September 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118043148/http://www.mainconcept.com/products/sdks/video/flash.html |archive-date=November 18, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Flash Player uses hardware acceleration to display video where present, using technologies such as [[DirectX Video Acceleration]] and [[OpenGL]] to do so. Flash Video is used by [[YouTube]],<ref name="youtubeflash" /> [[Hulu]],<ref name="huluflash" /> [[Yahoo! Screen|Yahoo! Video]], [[BBC Online]],<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/futuremedia/technical/av_addendum.shtml#flash Future Media Standards & Guidelines – AV Addendum v1.5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930044130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/futuremedia/technical/av_addendum.shtml#flash |date=September 30, 2013}} BBC</ref> and other news providers. FLV files can be played back from a server using [[HTTP]] [[progressive download]], and can also be embedded inside an SWF file. Flash Video can also be streamed via [[Real-Time Messaging Protocol|RTMP]] using the [[Adobe Media Server|Adobe Flash Media Server]] or other such server-side software. * '''PNG:''' Support for decoding and rendering [[PNG|Portable Network Graphics]] (PNG) images, in both its 24-bit (opaque) and 32-bit (semi-transparent) variants. Flash Player 11 can also encode a PNG bitmap via ActionScript. * '''JPEG:''' Support for decoding and rendering compressed [[JPEG]] images. Flash Player 10 added support for the [[JPEG XR|JPEG-XR]] advanced image compression standard developed by [[Microsoft|Microsoft Corporation]], which results in better compression and quality than JPEG. JPEG-XR enables [[Lossy compression|lossy]] and [[Lossless compression|lossless]] compression with or without [[Alpha compositing|alpha channel]] transparency. Flash Player 11 can also encode a JPEG or JPEG-XR bitmap via ActionScript. * '''GIF:''' Support for decoding and rendering compressed [[GIF|Graphics Interchange Format]] (GIF) images, in its single-frame variants only. Loading a multi-frame GIF will display only the first image frame.
=== Streaming protocols === * '''HTTP:''' Support for communicating with [[web server]]s using [[HTTP]] requests and [[POST (HTTP)|POST]] data.<ref>[http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=1014968&seqNum=2 Protocols: HTTP vs. RTMP> Beginner's Guide to Distributing Flash Video] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313180548/http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=1014968&seqNum=2 |date=March 13, 2013}}, Adobe Press</ref> However, only websites that explicitly allow Flash to connect to them can be accessed via HTTP or [[Network socket|sockets]], to prevent Flash being used as a tool for [[cross-site request forgery]],<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/cross_domain_policy.html Cross-domain policy file usage recommendations for Flash Player] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813035047/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/cross_domain_policy.html |date=August 13, 2014}}, Adobe</ref> [[cross-site scripting]], [[DNS rebinding]],<ref name="fp9sec" /> and [[denial-of-service attack]]s. Websites must host a certain XML file termed a ''cross domain policy'',<ref name="fp9sec">[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/fplayer9_security.html Policy file changes in Flash Player 9 and Flash Player 10] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818045411/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/fplayer9_security.html |date=August 18, 2014}}, Adobe</ref> allowing or denying Flash content from specific websites to connect to them. Certain websites, such as [[Digg]], [[Flickr]], and [[Photobucket]] already host a cross-domain policy that permits Flash content to access their website via HTTP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stackoverflow.com/q/352039 |title=Sites which support crossdomain.xml to allow Flash and Silverlight access |access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref> * '''RTMP:''' Support for live audio and video streaming using the [[Real-Time Messaging Protocol]] (RTMP) developed by [[Macromedia]]. RTMP supports a non-encrypted version over the [[Transmission Control Protocol]] (TCP) or an encrypted version over a secure [[Transport Layer Security]] (SSL) connection. RTMPT can also be [[Encapsulation (networking)|encapsulated]] within [[HTTP]] requests to traverse [[Firewall (computing)|firewalls]] that only allow HTTP traffic. * '''TCP:''' Support for [[Transmission Control Protocol]] (TCP) Internet socket communication to communicate with any type of server, using [[Network socket|stream socket]]s. Sockets can be used only via [[ActionScript]], and can transfer [[plain text]], [[XML]], or binary data (ActionScript 3.0 or later).<ref>[http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FlashPlatform/reference/actionscript/3/flash/net/Socket.html Socket] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011110956/http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FlashPlatform/reference/actionscript/3/flash/net/Socket.html |date=October 11, 2012}}, Adobe ActionScript 3 API Reference</ref><ref>[http://help.adobe.com/en_US/as3/dev/WSb2ba3b1aad8a27b0-181c51321220efd9d1c-8000.html Sockets] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020033500/http://help.adobe.com/en_US/as3/dev/WSb2ba3b1aad8a27b0-181c51321220efd9d1c-8000.html |date=October 20, 2012}}, ActionScript 3.0 Developer's Guide</ref> To prevent security issues, web servers that permit Flash content to communicate with them using sockets must host an [[XML]]-based cross domain policy file, served on [[Port (computer networking)|Port]] 843.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/socket_policy_files.html Setting up a socket policy file server] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803043912/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/socket_policy_files.html |date=August 3, 2014}}, Adobe</ref> Sockets enable AS3 programs to interface with any kind of server software, such as [[MySQL]].<ref>[https://code.google.com/p/assql/ AsSQL – MySQL Driver for AS3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525074944/http://code.google.com/p/assql/ |date=May 25, 2013}}, Google Code</ref>
== Performance ==
=== Hardware acceleration === Until version 10 of the Flash player, there was no support for [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]] acceleration. Version 10 added a limited form of support for [[shader]]s on materials in the form of the [[Adobe Pixel Bender|Pixel Bender]] API, but still did not have GPU-accelerated 3D vertex processing.<ref name="Lengyel2011">{{cite book |editor=Eric Lengyel |title=Game Engine Gems 2 |year=2011 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-56881-437-7 |chapter=3D in a Web Browser |author=Remi Arnaud |pages=208–212 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QbSf3XwfM7EC&pg=PA208 |access-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110220042/https://books.google.com/books?id=QbSf3XwfM7EC&pg=PA208 |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> A significant change came in version 11, which added a new low-level API called [[Stage3D]] (initially codenamed Molehill), which provides full GPU acceleration, similar to [[WebGL]].<ref name="Kaitila2011">{{cite book |author=Christer Kaitila |title=Adobe Flash 11 Stage3D (Molehill) Game Programming Beginner's Guide |year=2011 |publisher=Packt Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-84969-169-7 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airtightinteractive.com/2011/10/stage3d-vs-webgl-performance/ |title=Stage3D vs WebGL Performance — Airtight Interactive |publisher=Airtightinteractive.com |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731041919/http://www.airtightinteractive.com/2011/10/stage3d-vs-webgl-performance/ |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> (The partial support for GPU acceleration in Pixel Bender was completely removed in Flash 11.8, resulting in the disruption of some projects like MIT's [[Scratch (programming language)|Scratch]], which lacked the manpower to recode their applications quickly enough.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Stage3D |access-date=August 5, 2014 |title=Stage3D |publisher=scratch.mit.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810224446/http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Stage3D |archive-date=August 10, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bugbase.adobe.com/index.cfm?event=bug&id=3591185|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422031641/https://bugbase.adobe.com/index.cfm?event=bug&id=3591185 |url-status=dead |title=Adobe Flash Player 11.8 – Bug 3591185: Pixel Bender shader performance drastically degraded in FP11.8. Closed as "NeverFix" |archive-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref>)
Current versions of Flash Player are optimized to use [[hardware acceleration]] for video playback and 3D graphics rendering on many devices, including desktop computers. Performance is similar to [[HTML video]] playback.<ref>[http://www.osnews.com/story/22997/Comparing_Flash_HTML5_Performance Comparing Flash, HTML5 Performance] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026111554/http://www.osnews.com/story/22997/Comparing_Flash_HTML5_Performance |date=October 26, 2011}}, OS News</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111016195612/http://www.flashmobileblog.com/2010/02/24/battery-performance-with-flash-player-10-1-on-nexus-one/ Battery Performance with Flash Player 10.1 on Nexus One]}}, Flash Mobile Blog</ref> Also, Flash Player has been used on multiple mobile devices as a primary user interface renderer.<ref>[http://www.qnx.com/products/reference-design/ Reference Designs and Demos] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011194706/http://www.qnx.com/products/reference-design/ |date=October 11, 2011}}, QNX</ref>
=== Compilation === Although code written in ActionScript 3 executes up to 10 times faster than the prior ActionScript 2,<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/actionscript/articles/actionscript3_overview.html ActionScript 3.0 overview, ''"ActionScript 3.0 code executes up to 10 times faster than legacy ActionScript code."''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718103332/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/actionscript/articles/actionscript3_overview.html |date=July 18, 2014}}, Adobe</ref> the Adobe ActionScript 3 compiler is a non-[[optimizing compiler]], and produces inefficient bytecode in the resulting SWF, when compared to toolkits such as [[CrossBridge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Alchemy:FAQ |title=Alchemy:FAQ |access-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505202706/http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Alchemy%3AFAQ |archive-date=May 5, 2012}}, Adobe Labs, ''"ASC performs few optimizations at this time"''</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zotov |first=Peter |url=http://whitequark.org/blog/2012/05/06/reaching-the-limits-of-adobe-stupidity/ |title=Reaching the Limits of Adobe Stupidity – whitespace |publisher=Whitequark.org |date=May 6, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015232628/http://whitequark.org/blog/2012/05/06/reaching-the-limits-of-adobe-stupidity/ |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="alc1">[http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Alchemy:FAQ Alchemy:FAQ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505202706/http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Alchemy%3AFAQ |date=May 5, 2012}}, Adobe Labs</ref><ref name="alc2">[http://llvm.org/devmtg/2009-10/Petersen_OptimizingActionScriptBytecode.pdf Optimizing ActionScript Bytecode using LLVM] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511212615/http://llvm.org/devmtg/2009-10/Petersen_OptimizingActionScriptBytecode.pdf |date=May 11, 2012}}, Adobe</ref><ref name="alc3">[http://unitzeroone.com/blog/2008/11/28/adobe-alchemy-is-it-actionscript-heresy/ Adobe Alchemy, is it ActionScript heresy?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819072030/http://unitzeroone.com/blog/2008/11/28/adobe-alchemy-is-it-actionscript-heresy/ |date=August 19, 2012}}, Unit Zero One</ref>
[[CrossBridge]], a toolkit that targets [[C++]] code to run within the Flash Player, uses the [[LLVM]] compiler to produce bytecode that runs up to 10 times faster than code the ActionScript 3 compiler produces, only because the LLVM compiler uses more aggressive optimization.<ref name="alc1" /><ref name="alc2" /><ref name="alc3" />
Adobe has released ActionScript Compiler 2 (ASC2) in Flex 4.7 and onwards, which improves compilation times and optimizes the generated bytecode and supports [[Inline expansion|method inlining]], improving its performance at runtime.<ref>[http://www.bytearray.org/?p=4789 Introducing ASC 2.0] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315053903/http://www.bytearray.org/?p=4789 |date=March 15, 2013}}, Thibault Imbert, ByteArray.com</ref>
As of 2012, the [[Haxe]] multiplatform language can build programs for Flash Player that perform faster than the same application built with the Adobe Flex SDK compiler.<ref>[http://www.splashdust.net/2009/10/as3-vs-haxe-performance/ AS3 vs haXe performance], SplashDust website {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105015705/http://www.splashdust.net/2009/10/as3-vs-haxe-performance/ |date=January 5, 2013}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2014}}
== Development methods == Flash Player applications and games can be built in two significantly different ways:
* "Flex" applications: The [[Apache Flex|Adobe Flex]] Framework is an integrated collection of stylable [[graphical user interface]], data manipulation, and networking components, and applications built upon it are termed "Flex" applications. Startup time is reduced since the Flex framework must be downloaded before the application begins, and it weighs in at approximately 500 KB. Editors include [[Adobe Flash Builder]] and FlashDevelop. * "Pure ActionScript" applications: Applications built without the Flex framework allow greater flexibility and performance.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/articles/optimize-performance-apps-tv.html Optimizing performance of applications for connected TVs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822044644/https://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/articles/optimize-performance-apps-tv.html |date=August 22, 2016}}, Adobe Developer Connection</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141015232622/http://blog.flexwiz.net/top-10-performance-killers-in-your-air-application/ Top 10 Performance Killers in your AIR Application]}}, FlexWiz</ref><ref>[http://gregsramblings.com/2011/09/06/flex-vs-actionscript-the-debate-gets-new-life/ Flex versus ActionScript – the debate gets new life] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209053718/http://gregsramblings.com/2011/09/06/flex-vs-actionscript-the-debate-gets-new-life/ |date=December 9, 2014}}, Greg's Ramblings</ref> Video games built for Flash Player are typically pure-Actionscript projects. Various open-source component frameworks are available for pure ActionScript projects, such as ''MadComponents'', that provide UI Components at significantly smaller SWF file sizes.<ref>[http://madskool.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/pure-actionscript-madcomponents-vs-flash-builder-4-5/ Pure ActionScript + MadComponents vs. Flash Builder 4.5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222161232/http://madskool.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/pure-actionscript-madcomponents-vs-flash-builder-4-5/ |date=December 22, 2014}}, MobileAppDev</ref><ref>[http://crosbymichael.com/flex-45-vs-pure-as3.html Flex 4.5 vs Pure AS3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021065503/http://www.crosbymichael.com/flex-45-vs-pure-as3.html |date=October 21, 2011}}, Michael Crosby</ref>
In both methods, developers can access the full Flash Player set of functions, including [[Text file|text]], [[vector graphics]], [[bitmap]] graphics, [[video]], [[sound|audio]], camera, microphone, and others. AIR also includes added features such as file system integration, native extensions, native desktop integration, and hardware integration with connected devices.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
== Development tools == Adobe provides five ways of developing applications for Flash Player: * [[Adobe Animate]]: graphic design, animation, and scripting toolset * [[Adobe Flash Builder]]: enterprise application development and debugging * [[Adobe Scout]]: visual profiler for performance optimization * [[Apache Flex]]: a free [[software development kit|SDK]] to compile Flash and [[Adobe AIR]] applications from source code; developed by Adobe and donated to the Apache Foundation<ref name="Adobe donates Flex to Apache">{{cite web |url=http://www.techworld.com.au/article/407714/adobe_donates_flex_apache |title=Adobe donates Flex to Apache |website=[[Techworld]] |access-date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118101841/http://www.techworld.com.au/article/407714/adobe_donates_flex_apache/ |archive-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> * [[CrossBridge]]: a free SDK to [[Cross compiler|cross-compile]] C++ code to run in Flash Player
Third-party development environments are also available: * FlashDevelop: an open-source Flash ActionScript IDE, which includes a debugger for AIR applications * [[Powerflasher FDT]]: a commercial ActionScript IDE * CodeDrive: an extension to [[Visual Studio|Microsoft Visual Studio]] [[Visual Studio#Visual Studio 2010|2010]] for ActionScript 3 development and debugging * [[MTASC]]: a compiler * [[Haxe]]: a multi-platform language<ref>[https://truegryc.blogspot.com/2010/05/response-to-thoughts-on-flash.html Response to "Thoughts on Flash"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112044902/http://truegryc.blogspot.com/2010/05/response-to-thoughts-on-flash.html |date=November 12, 2011}}, True Gryc Blog</ref>
=== Game development === [[File:Adobe Gaming SDK v1.0 icon.png|thumb|Adobe Gaming SDK 1.0 logo]]
Adobe offers the free Adobe Gaming SDK, consisting ({{as of|August 2014|lc=yes}}) of several open-source AS3 libraries built on the Flash Player [[Stage3D]] APIs for GPU-accelerated graphics:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://creative.adobe.com/products/gaming-sdk |title=Adobe Gaming SDK |website=creative.adobe.com |publisher=[[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054301/https://creative.adobe.com/products/gaming-sdk |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Away3D]]: GPU-accelerated 3D graphics and animation engine * [[Starling Framework|Starling]]: GPU-accelerated 2D graphics that mimics the Flash display list API * Feathers: GPU-accelerated [[Theme (computing)|skinnable]] [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] library built on top of Starling * Dragon Bones: GPU-accelerated 2D [[skeletal animation]] library
A few commercial [[game engine]]s target Flash Player (Stage3D) as run-time environment, such as [[Unity (game engine)|Unity 3D]]<ref name="Au2012" /> and [[Unreal Engine]] 3.<ref name="Au2012">{{cite book |author=Wagner James Au |title=Game Design Secrets |year=2012 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-46391-8 |page=130}}</ref><ref name="theverge">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/10/7/2471974/epics-unreal-3-engine-coming-soon-to-adobe-flash-11 |title=Adobe Flash 11 adopts Unreal Engine 3 for better browser games | The Verge |date=October 7, 2011 |publisher=theverge.com |access-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706225700/https://www.theverge.com/2011/10/7/2471974/epics-unreal-3-engine-coming-soon-to-adobe-flash-11 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the introduction of Stage3D, a number of older 2D engines or isometric engines like [[Adam Saltsman|Flixel]] saw their heyday.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flashrealtime.com/flash-game-library-engine-list |title=List of Flash Gaming Engines |publisher=FlashRealtime.com |date=April 23, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406002548/http://www.flashrealtime.com/flash-game-library-engine-list/ |archive-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>
Adobe also developed the [[CrossBridge]] toolkit which [[cross compiler|cross-compiles]] [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]] code to run within the Flash Player, using [[LLVM]] and [[GNU Compiler Collection|GCC]] as compiler backends, and high-performance [[Computer memory|memory-access]] [[opcode]]s in the Flash Player (termed "Domain Memory") to work with in-memory data quickly.<ref name="crossbridge">{{Cite web |title=CrossBridge |url=https://adobe-flash.github.io/crossbridge/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Adobe Gaming |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920190506/http://adobe-flash.github.io/crossbridge/ |archive-date=2017-09-20}}</ref> CrossBridge is targeted toward the [[Video game development|game development]] industry, and includes tools for building, testing, and debugging C/C++ projects in Flash Player.
Notable online video games developed in Flash include ''[[Angry Birds]]'', ''[[FarmVille]]'', and ''[[AdventureQuest]]'' (started in 2002, and still active as of 2020).<ref name="Lengyel2011b">{{cite book |editor=Eric Lengyel |title=Game Engine Gems 2 |year=2011 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-56881-437-7 |chapter=3D in a Web Browser |author=Remi Arnaud |page=205 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QbSf3XwfM7EC&pg=PA205 |access-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110220042/https://books.google.com/books?id=QbSf3XwfM7EC&pg=PA205 |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Availability ==
=== Desktop platforms === Adobe Flash Player is available in two major versions:
# The plugin version for use in various [[web browser]]s # The "projector" version is a standalone player that can open [[SWF]] files directly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html |work=Adobe Flash Player Support Center |title=Downloads |access-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022033330/http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html |archive-date=October 22, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Adobe Flash Player - Debug Downloads |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/debug_downloads.html |publisher=[[Adobe Inc.]] |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401020702/https://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/debug_downloads.html |archive-date=2022-04-01 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On February 22, 2012, Adobe announced that it would no longer release new versions of NPAPI Flash plugins for Linux, although Flash Player 11.2 would continue to receive security updates.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/02/adobe-and-google-partnering-for-flash-player-on-linux.html |title=Adobe and Google Partnering for Flash Player on Linux |access-date=November 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519130745/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/02/adobe-and-google-partnering-for-flash-player-on-linux.html |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Noyes |first=Katherine |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/250455/for_flash_on_linux_chrome_will_be_users_only_choice.html |title=For Flash on Linux, Chrome Will Be Users' Only Choice | PCWorld Business Center |publisher=Pcworld.com |date=April 6, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020042222/http://www.pcworld.com/article/250455/for_flash_on_linux_chrome_will_be_users_only_choice.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://linux.slashdot.org/story/12/03/31/1417245/adobe-releases-last-linux-version-of-flash-player |title=Adobe Releases Last Linux Version of Flash Player – Slashdot |date=March 31, 2012 |publisher=Linux.slashdot.org |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331222328/http://linux.slashdot.org/story/12/03/31/1417245/adobe-releases-last-linux-version-of-flash-player |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2016, Adobe announced that, beginning with version 24, it would resume offering of Flash Player for Linux for other browsers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2016/08/beta-news-flash-player-npapi-for-linux.html |work=Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Team Blog |title=Beta News – Flash Player NPAPI for Linux |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118231652/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2016/08/beta-news-flash-player-npapi-for-linux.html |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The Extended Support Release (ESR) of Flash Player on macOS and Windows was a version of Flash Player kept up to date with security updates, but it did not include the new features or bug fixes available in later versions. In August 2016, Adobe discontinued the ESR branch and instead focused solely on the standard release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/thread/889580 |title=Where can I find the "Extended Support Release" of Flash Player for Windows or Macintosh? |last=Campbell |first=Chris |date=August 23, 2016 |website=forums.adobe.com |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=September 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705100019/https://forums.adobe.com/thread/889580 |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Release history for [[desktop operating system]]s ! colspan="2" | [[Operating system]] ! First version ! Latest version ! Support status |- | rowspan="5" |[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] | [[Windows XP|XP]], [[Windows Vista|Vista]], [[Windows 7|7]], [[Windows 8|8]], [[Windows 8.1|8.1]], [[Windows 10|10]] and [[Windows 11|11 21H2–24H2]] | rowspan="5" | 1 | 34.0.0.372 (China-specific)<ref name=ChinaV>{{cite web |title=Adobe Flash Player (China Variant) |url=https://www.flash.cn/english |website=flash.cn |publisher=Zhongcheng Network Technology Co., Ltd |access-date=2026-03-05}}</ref><br />50.x ([[Harman International|Harman]] enterprise)<ref name="IE mode"/><br />32.0.0.465 (last public update, excluding China)<ref name="fpos">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190101113552/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html/ Adobe Flash Player Versions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101113552/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html |date=January 1, 2019}}, Adobe.com</ref><br />35.0.0.204 ([[Adobe Animate]] component)<ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe Support Bulletin APSB22-54 |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/animate/apsb22-54.html |website=adobe.com |publisher=Adobe |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fixed issues in Animate|url=https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/kb/fixed-issues.html |website=adobe.com |publisher=Adobe |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=shockpkg/packages|url=https://github.com/shockpkg/packages/tree/882eeadfa2890762aafbe12976bf8bf4e2a9a054/packages/flash-player/35.0.0.204|website=github.com|publisher=[[shockpkg]]|access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref> | 2017–present<br />2021–present<br />2001–2020<br />?–present |- | [[Windows 2000|2000]] | 11.1.102.55 and 10.3.183.90<ref name="dead" /> | 1999–2013 |- | [[Windows 98|98]] and [[Windows Me|ME]] | 9.0.289.0<ref name="dead" /> | 1998–2011 |- | [[Windows 95|95]] and [[Windows NT 4.0|NT 4.0]] (IA-32) | 7.0.14.0<ref name="dead" /> | 1996–2005 |- | [[Windows 3.1|3.1]] | 3<ref name="fp3">{{cite web |title=Flash Player 3 Archive |url=https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/installers/archive/fp3_archive.zip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718192527/https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/installers/archive/fp3_archive.zip |archive-date=July 18, 2020}}</ref> | 1996–1998 |- | rowspan="7" | [[macOS]] | [[macOS Sierra|10.12]] – [[macOS Sequoia|15.x]] | rowspan="7" | 5.0.41.0<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Player 5 Archive |url=https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/installers/archive/fp5_archive.zip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718192527/https://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/installers/archive/fp5_archive.zip |archive-date=2020-07-18}}</ref> | 34.0.0.372 (China-specific)<ref name="ChinaV" /> | 2017–present |- | [[OS X Yosemite|10.10]] – [[macOS Sequoia|15.x]] | 50.x ([[Harman International|Harman]] enterprise)<ref name="IE mode"/><br />32.0.0.465 (last public update, excluding China)<ref name="fpos" /><br />35.0.0.204 ([[Adobe Animate]] component)<ref>{{cite web|title=shockpkg/packages|url=https://github.com/shockpkg/packages/tree/882eeadfa2890762aafbe12976bf8bf4e2a9a054/packages/flash-player/35.0.0.204|website=github.com|publisher=[[shockpkg]]|access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>
| 2021–present<br />2014–2020<br />?-present |- | [[OS X Mavericks|10.9]] | 29.0.0.171<ref name="dead" /> | 2013–2018 |- | [[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|10.6]] – [[OS X Mountain Lion|10.8]] ([[IA-32]], [[x86-64|x64]]) | 22.0.0.209<ref name="dead" /> | 2009–2016 |- | [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5]] (IA-32, x64) | 10.3.183.90<ref name="dead" /> | 2007–2013 |- | [[Mac OS X Tiger|10.4]] (IA-32, PPC) – [[Mac OS X Leopard|10.5]] (PPC) | 10.1.102.64<ref name="dead" /> | 2005–2011 |- | [[Mac OS X 10.1|10.1]] – [[Mac OS X Panther|10.3]] | 9.0.289.0<ref name="dead" /> | 2001–2011 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Classic Mac OS]] | 7.6.1 – 9.2.2 ([[PowerPC]]) | rowspan="2" | 1 | 7.0.14.0<ref name="dead" /> | 1996–2005 |- | 7.6.1 – 8.1 ([[Motorola 68000 series|68k]]) | 3<ref name="fp3" /> | 1996–1998 |- | colspan="2" | [[Linux]] desktops | 4.0r12<ref name="unix">{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/computer-software/300738-1.html/ |title=MACROMEDIA INTRODUCES FREE FLASH PLAYERS FOR LINUX, SOLARIS, IRIX USERS. {{!}} Technology > Software Services & Applications from AllBusiness.com |access-date=2011-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520080719/http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/computer-software/300738-1.html |archive-date=May 20, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash%26P2_Platform=Linux%26P3_Browser_Version=Netscape4 |title=Macromedia Flash Player download center (Linux) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000609061754/http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash%26P2_Platform=Linux%26P3_Browser_Version=Netscape4 |archive-date=June 9, 2000}}</ref> | 50.x ([[Harman International|Harman]] enterprise)<ref name="IE mode"/><br />34.0.0.137 (last public update, China-specific)<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Player官方下载中心 |url=https://www.flash.cn/download |website=Flash |publisher=Flash.cn |access-date=2021-06-12 |language=zh-hans}}</ref><br />32.0.0.465 (last public update, excluding China)<ref name="fpos" /> | 2021–present<br />2017–2021<ref>{{cite web |title=关于Linux操作系统下Flash Player个人版停用的公告 |url=https://www.flash.cn/notice/notice?id=170 |website=Flash |publisher=Flash.cn |access-date=2021-06-12 |language=zh-hans |date=2021-05-10}}</ref><br />1999–2020 |- | colspan="2" | [[Oracle Solaris|Solaris]] and [[OpenSolaris]] | 4.0r12<ref name="unix" /> | 11.2.202.223 and 10.3.183.90<ref name="dead" /> | 2004–2013 |- | colspan="2" | [[IRIX]] | 4.0r12<ref name="unix" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&P2_Platform=IRIX&P3_Browser_Version=Netscape4 |title=Macromedia Flash Player download center (IRIX) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010105113800/http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&P2_Platform=IRIX&P3_Browser_Version=Netscape4 |archive-date=January 5, 2001}}</ref> | 4.0.r12<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates/ | title=Macromedia - Macromedia Web Players: Alternates |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802032700/http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates/ |archive-date=2001-08-02}}</ref> | 1999 |}
Version 10 can be run under Windows 98/Me using KernelEx.<ref>[https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelex/ KernelEx].</ref> HP offered Version 6 of the player for [[HP-UX]],<ref name="FP alternates" /> while [[VirtualBox|Innotek GmbH]] offered versions 4 and 5 for [[OS/2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://innotek.de/flash/ |title=InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010917080223/http://innotek.de/flash/ |archive-date=2001-09-17}}</ref> Other versions of the player have been available at some point for [[BeOS]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}
== Mobile platforms == {{See also|Adobe Integrated Runtime|Adobe Flash Lite}}
In 2011, Flash Player had emerged as the de facto standard for online video publishing on the desktop, with adaptive bitrate video streaming, [[Digital rights management|DRM]], and full-screen support.<ref name="youtubeflash">[http://apiblog.youtube.com/2010/06/flash-and-html5-tag.html Flash and the HTML5 <video> tag] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807090316/http://apiblog.youtube.com/2010/06/flash-and-html5-tag.html |date=August 7, 2012}}, YouTube Blog</ref><ref name="huluflash">[http://blog.hulu.com/2010/05/13/pardon-our-dust/ Pardon Our Dust] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531083900/http://blog.hulu.com/2010/05/13/pardon-our-dust/ |date=May 31, 2015}}, Hulu Blog</ref> On mobile devices, however, after [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] refused to allow the Flash Player within [[iOS]]'s integrated web browser, Adobe changed its strategy, enabling Flash content to be delivered as native mobile applications using the [[Adobe AIR|Adobe Integrated Runtime]].
Up until 2012, Flash Player 11 was available for the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] (ARM Cortex-A8 and above),<ref name="flashmobileblog1">{{cite news |url=http://www.flashmobileblog.com/2010/03/02/flash-player-10-1-installations-and-updates/ |title=Flash Player 10.1 – Installations and updates |access-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008031022/http://www.flashmobileblog.com/2010/03/02/flash-player-10-1-installations-and-updates/ |archive-date=October 8, 2010 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> although in June 2012, Google announced that Android 4.1 (codenamed [[Android version history|Jelly Bean]]) would not support Flash by default. In August 2012, Adobe stopped updating Flash for Android.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flash Player for Android: Adobe calls time, declares it dead |author=Arthur, Charles |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2012/jun/29/flash-android-dies-adobe |access-date=June 30, 2012 |date=June 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305204524/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2012/jun/29/flash-android-dies-adobe |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Flash Player was supported on a select range of mobile and tablet devices, from [[Acer Inc.|Acer]], [[BlackBerry 10]], [[Dell]], [[HTC]], [[Lenovo]], [[Logitech]], [[LG]], [[Motorola]], [[Samsung]], [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]], [[SoftBank Group|SoftBank]], [[Sony]] (and [[Sony Mobile|Sony Ericsson]]), and [[Toshiba]].<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/ Flash Platform Certified Devices] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622213047/http://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/ |date=June 22, 2012}}, Adobe</ref><ref>[https://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/smartphones.html Flash Platform Certified Devices: Smartphones] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708085211/http://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/smartphones.html |date=July 8, 2012}}, Adobe</ref><ref>[https://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/tablets.html Flash Platform Certified Devices: Tablets] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708084823/http://www.adobe.com/flashplatform/certified_devices/tablets.html |date=July 8, 2012}}, Adobe</ref> As of 2012, Adobe has stopped browser-based Flash Player development for mobile browsers in favor of [[HTML5]];<ref name="cbsnews.com">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adobe-abandons-flash-player-on-mobile-browsers-for-html5/ Adobe abandons Flash Player on mobile browsers for HTML5], CBS News</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8879783/Adobe-abandons-Flash-for-mobile-devices.html Adobe abandons Flash for mobile devices] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709084547/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8879783/Adobe-abandons-Flash-for-mobile-devices.html |date=July 9, 2016}}; The Telegraph</ref> however, Adobe continues to support Flash content on mobile devices with the Adobe Integrated Runtime, which allows developers to publish content that runs as native applications on certain supported mobile phone platforms.
Adobe said it will optimize Flash for use on [[ARM architecture family|ARM architecture]] (ARMv7 and ARMv6 architectures used in the Cortex-A series of processors and in the ARM11 family) and release it in the second half of 2009. The company also stated it wants to enable Flash on [[Tegra|NVIDIA Tegra]], [[OMAP|Texas Instruments OMAP]] 3, and Samsung ARMs.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200811/111708ARMAdobeFlash.html Press Room: For immediate release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805114419/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200811/111708ARMAdobeFlash.html |date=August 5, 2014 }}. Adobe. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/11/17/adobe.flash.for.arm.in.2k9/ Adobe Flash 10 to be ARM-optimized in 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108153940/http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/11/17/adobe.flash.for.arm.in.2k9/ |date=January 8, 2009}}. Electronista (November 17, 2008). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> Beginning 2009, it was announced that Adobe would be bringing Flash to [[Television set|TV set]]s via [[Intel]] Media Processor CE 3100 before mid-2009.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200901/010509IntelAdobePR.html Press Room: For immediate release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816042955/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200901/010509IntelAdobePR.html |date=August 16, 2014}}. Adobe. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> [[Arm Holdings|ARM Holdings]] later said it welcomes the move of Flash, because "it will transform mobile applications and it removes the claim that the desktop controls the Internet."<ref>[http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/05/02/43661/arm-welcomes-adobes-mobile-flash-move.htm ARM welcomes Adobe's mobile Flash move – 5/2/2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220235813/http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/05/02/43661/arm-welcomes-adobes-mobile-flash-move.htm |date=February 20, 2009}}. Electronics Weekly (May 2, 2008). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> However, as of May 2009, the expected ARM/Linux [[netbook]] devices had poor support for Web video and a fragmented software base.<ref>[http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500372 ARM netbooks struggle with video, apps] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712033845/http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216500372 |date=July 12, 2012}}. Eetimes.com (April 14, 2009). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref>
Among other devices, [[LeapFrog Enterprises]] provides Flash Player with their Leapster Multimedia Learning System and extended the Flash Player with touch-screen support.<ref>[http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/showcase/index.cfm?event=casestudydetail&casestudyid=21019&loc=en_us Adobe Success Story: LeapFrog Enterprises] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014220052/http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/showcase/index.cfm?event=casestudydetail&casestudyid=21019&loc=en_us |date=October 14, 2007}} (Taken July 7, 2006).</ref> Version 9 was the most recent version available for the Linux/[[ARM architecture family|ARM]]-based [[Nokia 770 Internet Tablet|Nokia 770]]/[[Nokia N800|N800]]/[[Nokia N810|N810]] Internet tablets running [[Maemo]] OS2008.<ref name="FP alternates">[https://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/alternates/ Web Players] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821191945/https://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/alternates/ |date=August 21, 2014}}. Adobe. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> Other versions of the player have been available at some point for [[Symbian|Symbian OS]] and [[Palm OS]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jack |first1=George |date= February 24, 2024|title=Adobe Activation |url=https://tntzii.com/mainhome-latestij/|website=Adobe Activator |publisher=Zii}}</ref> The [[Kodak EasyShare#Kodak EasyShare-One Series|Kodak Easyshare One]] includes Flash Player.<ref>[http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_sdk/ Macromedia – Flash Player SDK] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718041634/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_sdk/ |date=July 18, 2006}} (Taken July 7, 2006).</ref>
The following table documents historical support for Flash Player on [[mobile operating system]]s:
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Platform ! Final version |- | [[Android (operating system)|Android]] 4.0, [[ARM Cortex-A8]]+<ref name="flashmobileblog1" /> | Flash Player 11.1.115.81<ref name="dead" /> |- | [[Android (operating system)|Android]] 2.2–3.x, [[ARM Cortex-A8]]+<ref>[https://market.android.com/details?id=com.adobe.flashplayer&hl=en Adobe Flash Player] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013091458/https://market.android.com/details?id=com.adobe.flashplayer&hl=en |date=October 13, 2011}}, Android Market</ref><ref name="flashmobileblog1" /> | Flash Player 11.1.111.73<ref name="dead" /> |- | [[Dreamcast]] | Flash Player 4.0{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} |- | [[Maemo]] | Flash Player 9.4<ref>[http://maemo.nokia.com/features/maemo-browser/ Maemo software | Nokia › Maemo Browser] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229235330/http://maemo.nokia.com/features/maemo-browser/ |date=December 29, 2009}}. Maemo.nokia.com. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> |- | [[PlayStation 3]] with Firmware 2.50, NetFront 2.81 | Flash Player 9.1 (update 3)<ref>{{cite web |title=New info on the firmware updates for PS3 and PSP |publisher=ThreeSpeech |date=October 14, 2008 |url=http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/10/new-info-on-the-firmware-updates-for-ps3-and-psp/ |access-date=October 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015212058/http://threespeech.com/blog/2008/10/new-info-on-the-firmware-updates-for-ps3-and-psp/ |archive-date=October 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] with Firmware 2.70 | Flash Player 6<ref name="adobe.com">[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/psp.html Mobile and Devices Developer Center: Sony PSP] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525161731/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/psp.html |date=May 25, 2010}}. Adobe (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> |- | [[Windows Mobile#Windows Mobile 2003|Pocket PC 2003]]<ref name="ppcwinmo">[https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_pocketpc/downloads/player.html Download Macromedia Flash Player 7 for Pocket PC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207061307/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_pocketpc/downloads/player.html |date=February 7, 2014}}, Adobe</ref> | Flash Player 7<ref name="ppcfp7">[https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_pocketpc/ Flash Player 7 For Pocket PC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119105908/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer_pocketpc/ |date=January 19, 2014}}. Adobe (July 14, 2009). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.adobe.com/mobile/supported_devices/pda.html rich Internet applications | Adobe Flash Platform runtimes] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530223758/http://www.adobe.com/mobile/supported_devices/pda.html |date=May 30, 2010}}. Adobe.com (July 14, 2009). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref> |- | [[webOS]] (Palm and HP) | Flash Player 10{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} |- | [[Windows Mobile 5.0|Windows Mobile 5]]<ref name="ppcwinmo" /> | Flash Player 7<ref name="ppcfp7" /> |}
=== Other hardware === Some CPU [[emulator]]s have been created for Flash Player, including [[CHIP-8|Chip8]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsdee.com/flip8/ |title=Flip8 – the World's First Flash Emulator — v0.9 |publisher=Newsdee.com |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127171830/http://newsdee.com/flip8/ |archive-date=January 27, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Commodore 64]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Claus Wahlers |url=http://codeazur.com.br/stuff/fc64_final/ |title=FC64 – Flash Commodore 64 Emulator — Demo — c么deazur brasil lab |publisher=Codeazur.com.br |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005042410/http://codeazur.com.br/stuff/fc64_final/ |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[ZX Spectrum]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jorin.com/shed/zx-spectrum-48k-games/?sna=basic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203115739/http://www.jorin.com/shed/zx-spectrum-48k-games/?sna=basic |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2008 |title=FlashZXSpectrum48k, Sinclair ZX Spectrum Emulator written in Flash |publisher=Jorin.com |access-date=September 12, 2009}}</ref> and the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://code.google.com/p/aminnes/ |title=aminnes – Project Hosting on Google Code |publisher=www.aminlab.com/ |date=May 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919201722/http://code.google.com/p/aminnes/ |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> They enable video games created for such platforms to run within Flash Player.
== End of life == Adobe announced on July 25, 2017, that it would end support for the normal/global variant of Flash Player on January 1, 2021, and encouraged developers to use [[HTML5]] standards in place of Flash.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/25/get-ready-to-say-goodbye-to-flash-in-2020/ |title=Get ready to finally say goodbye to Flash — in 2020 |last=Lardinois |first=Frederic |work=TechCrunch |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725160902/https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/25/get-ready-to-say-goodbye-to-flash-in-2020/ |archive-date=July 25, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/25/16026236/adobe-flash-end-of-support-2020 |title=Adobe will finally kill Flash in 2020 |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=July 25, 2017 |website=The Verge |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725190530/https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/25/16026236/adobe-flash-end-of-support-2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The announcement was coordinated with [[Apple Inc.|Apple]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://webkit.org/blog/7839/adobe-announces-flash-distribution-and-updates-to-end/ |title=Adobe Announces Flash Distribution and Updates to End |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726212958/https://webkit.org/blog/7839/adobe-announces-flash-distribution-and-updates-to-end/ |archive-date=July 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Facebook]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2017/07/25/Games-Migration-to-Open-Web-Standards/ |title=Migrating Games from Flash to Open Web Standards on Facebook |last=Pudełek |first=Jakub |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801000734/https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2017/07/25/Games-Migration-to-Open-Web-Standards/ |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Google]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blog.google/products/chrome/saying-goodbye-flash-chrome/ |title=Saying goodbye to Flash in Chrome |last=Laforge |first=Anthony |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725170022/https://www.blog.google/products/chrome/saying-goodbye-flash-chrome/ |archive-date=July 25, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Microsoft]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/07/25/flash-on-windows-timeline/ |title=The End of an Era – Next Steps for Adobe Flash |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726212959/https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/07/25/flash-on-windows-timeline/ |archive-date=July 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Mozilla]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Plugins/Roadmap |title=Firefox Roadmap for Flash End-of-Life |last=Smedberg |first=Benjamin |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912182637/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Plugins/Roadmap |archive-date=September 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Adobe announced that all major web browsers planned to officially remove the Adobe Flash Player component on December 31, 2020, and Microsoft removed it from the Windows OS in January 2021 via [[Windows Update]]. In a move to further reduce the number of Flash Player installations, Adobe added a "time bomb" to Flash to disable existing installations after January 12, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tung |first=Liam |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Adobe Flash is finally gone: The end arrives as Adobe starts blocking Flash content |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-flash-is-over-the-end-has-finally-arrived-as-adobe-starts-blocking-flash-content/|access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=[[ZDNet]]}}</ref> In mid-2020, Flash Player started prompting users to uninstall itself.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=Adobe wants users to uninstall Flash Player by the end of the year |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-wants-users-to-uninstall-flash-player-by-the-end-of-the-year/ |access-date=2020-06-22 |website=ZDNet |language=en}}</ref> Adobe removed all existing download links for Flash installers.<ref>{{cite web |first=Silviu |last=Stahie |date=2020-06-24 |title=Adobe to Remove Flash Download Links, Recommends People Uninstall It Now |url=https://securityboulevard.com/2020/06/adobe-to-remove-flash-download-links-recommends-people-uninstall-it-now/ |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Security Boulevard |language=en-US}}</ref> After January 26, 2021, all major web browsers including [[Safari (web browser)|Apple Safari]], [[Google Chrome]], [[Microsoft Edge]], and [[Firefox|Mozilla Firefox]] have already permanently removed Flash support.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=Firefox 85.0, See All New Features, Updates and Fixes |url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/85.0/releasenotes/ |access-date=2021-01-26 |website=Mozilla |language=en}}</ref> However, [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] content continues to be accessible on the web through emulators such as [[Ruffle (software)|Ruffle]], with varying degrees of compatibility and performance, although this is not endorsed by [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ruffle.rs/ |title=Ruffle for Adobe Flash Player |work=[[Ruffle (software)|Ruffle]] |access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>
== Web browsers ==
=== Google Chrome === Starting from Chrome 76, Flash is disabled by default without any prompts to activate Flash content.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=End of support for Adobe Flash {{!}} Firefox Help |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/end-support-adobe-flash |access-date=2020-11-25 |website=support.mozilla.org}}</ref> Users who wanted to play Flash content had to manually set a browser to prompt for Flash content, and then during each browser session, enable Flash plugin for every site individually. Microsoft Edge, which is based on Chromium, followed the same plan as Google Chrome.<ref>{{cite web |last=Venkat |date=2019-06-16 |title=After Chrome 76, Mozilla Firefox 69 disables Flash by Default |url=https://techdows.com/2019/06/after-chrome-76-mozilla-firefox-69-disables-flash-by-default.html |access-date=2019-06-16 |website=Techdows |language=en-US |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228163640/https://techdows.com/2019/06/after-chrome-76-mozilla-firefox-69-disables-flash-by-default.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Google Chrome blocked the Flash plugin as "out of date" in January 2021, and fully removed it from the browser with Chrome version 88, released on January 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Roadmap - The Chromium Projects |url=https://www.chromium.org/flash-roadmap#TOC-Flash-Support-Removed-from-Chromium-Target:-Chrome-87---Dec-2020- |access-date=2019-06-16 |website=www.chromium.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Google's new Chrome 88 update improves dark mode, removes FTP and Adobe Flash |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/20/22240301/google-chrome-88-release-download-dark-mode-ftp-adobe-flash-removal |access-date=January 20, 2021 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
=== Mozilla Firefox === Starting with Firefox 85,<ref name=":1" /> Flash is disabled by default without any prompts to activate Flash content. To play Flash content, users had to manually set a browser to prompt for Flash content, and then, during each browser session, enable the Flash plugin for every site individually. Firefox 85, released on January 26, 2021, completely removed support for the Flash plugin.<ref name="auto1" /> [[Firefox|Firefox ESR]] dropped support on November 2, 2021 (Firefox 78 ESR was the last version with support).<ref name="Firefox ESR">{{cite web |title=Firefox for Enterprise 93 - Release notes {{!}} Firefox for Enterprise Help |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-enterprise-93-release-notes |access-date=2021-10-08 |website=support.mozilla.org}}</ref>
=== Microsoft Windows === On October 27, 2020, Microsoft released an update (named KB4577586) for Windows 10 and 8.1 which removes the embedded Adobe Flash Player component from [[Internet Explorer 11|IE11]] and [[Edge Legacy]]. In July 2021, this update was automatically installed as a security patch.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Update on Adobe Flash Player End of Support |url=https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2020/09/04/update-adobe-flash-end-support/ |access-date=October 4, 2020 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite web |title=You can now uninstall Flash on Windows 10 and 8.1 using KB4577586 |website=gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/28/you-can-now-uninstall-flash-on-windows-10-and-8-1-using-kb4577586/#comment-4476513 |access-date=2020-10-28 |date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> However, an [[ActiveX]] Flash Player plugin may still be used with IE after this update is applied.<ref name="About (CN)">{{cite web |title=Adobe - Flash Player |url=https://get.adobe.com/cn/flashplayer/about/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=Adobe.com |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]]}}</ref><ref name="Install Packages (CN)">{{cite web |title=_flash_install_packages_ |url=http://api.flash.cn/config/flashVersion/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=flash.cn |publisher=Zhongcheng Network Technology Co., Ltd}}</ref>
=== Apple Safari === Apple dropped Flash Player support from Safari 14 alongside the release of [[macOS Big Sur]].<ref name="dropped in Safari/macOS">{{Cite web|title=Flash Player on Adobe Support Community|url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/flash-player/bd-p/flash-player|access-date=2020-10-03|website=community.adobe.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name="flash">{{cite news |last1=Cimpanu |first1=Catalin |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Safari 14 removes Flash, gets support for breach alerts, HTTP/3, and WebP |work=ZDNet |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/safari-14-removes-flash-gets-support-for-breach-alerts-http3-and-webp/ |access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref>
== Fallout == Despite the years of notice, several websites still were using Flash following December 31, 2020, including the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]. Many of these were resolved in the weeks after the deadline. However, many educational institutions still relied on Flash for educational material and did not have a path forward for replacement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Debre |first=Elena |date=February 5, 2021 |title=These Places Were Not Ready for Flash to Die |url=https://slate.com/technology/2021/02/flash-adobe-end-missed-memo.html |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]}}</ref>
== Post-EOL support ==
=== Mainland China === [[#Mainland China–specific variant|The China-specific variant of Flash]] is still supported, by a company known as Zhongcheng.<ref>{{cite web |title=Release Notes - Flash Player 33 |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/release-note/fp_33_release_notes.html |website=Adobe.com |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=关于大连车务段使用Flash出现问题的声明公告 |url=https://www.flash.cn/notice/notice?id=154 |website=flash.cn |publisher=Zhongcheng Network Technology Co., Ltd |access-date=25 January 2021 |language=zh-hans}}</ref> The Projector (standalone) versions of this variant also work outside of China and do not include the "Flash Helper Service"; however, some tracking code still seems to be present. They are available on a somewhat hidden "Debug" page.<ref name="China Debug">{{cite web |title=Flash Player Debug Downloads (China-specific) |url=https://www.flash.cn/support/debug-downloads |website=flash.cn |publisher=Zhongcheng Network Technology Co., Ltd |access-date=1 April 2021 |language=zh-hans}}</ref> In addition, as the global variant of the plugin was discontinued, some users have figured out how to modify and repack the China-specific variant to bring it more in line with the global variant. This includes removing the "Flash Helper Service" and removing the China-only installation restriction, along with all other geo-restrictions and tracking code. A "time bomb", similar to the one found in later versions of the global variant, is also present in the unmodified China variant; this is also removed in most repacks. In theory, these repacks should provide users outside of China with the latest security updates to Flash Player, without having to deal with invasive advertisements or worry about privacy risks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chinese repacks |url=https://msfn.org/board/topic/182361-adobe-flash-shockwave-and-oracle-java-on-xp-part-2/page/20/?tab=comments#comment-1194685 |website=msfn.com |date=June 23, 2017 |access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> One such project, "Clean Flash Installer", was served a [[Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act#Notice from copyright owner|DMCA takedown]] from Adobe in October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maxwell |first1=Andy |title=Adobe Uses DMCA to Nuke Project That Keeps Flash Alive, Secure & Adware Free |url=https://torrentfreak.com/adobe-uses-dmca-to-nuke-project-that-keeps-flash-alive-secure-adware-free-211012/ |website=[[TorrentFreak]] |access-date=13 October 2021 |language=en |date=12 October 2021}}</ref>
== Enterprise == Adobe has partnered with [[Harman International|Harman]] to support enterprise Flash Player users until at least 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe Flash Player EOL Enterprise Information Page |url=https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/enterprise-end-of-life.html |website=Adobe.com |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115183639/https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/enterprise-end-of-life.html |archive-date=15 January 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Harman's support program for Adobe Flash Player |url=https://services.harman.com/partners/adobe |website=harman.com |publisher=[[Harman International]] |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115183621/https://services.harman.com/partners/adobe |archive-date=15 January 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Harman Flash player variant is labeled as version 50.x, to avoid confusion with other variants.<ref name="IE mode">{{cite web |title=Adobe® Flash® Player Enterprise Support |url=https://airsdk.harman.com/flashplayer |website=harman.com |publisher=[[Harman International]] |access-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109104517/https://airsdk.harman.com/flashplayer |archive-date=9 January 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Web browsers == Internet Explorer 11, along with IE mode in [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]],<ref name="IE mode"/> will continue with ActiveX support, and by extension Flash Player support<!-- if available-->.<ref name="Install Packages (CN)"/> Firefox [[Fork (software development)|forks]] that plan to continue [[NPAPI]] support, and by extension Flash Player support, include [[Basilisk (web browser)|Basilisk]], [[Pale Moon]], [[K-Meleon]], and [[Waterfox|Waterfox Classic]]. Various [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]]-based Chinese browsers will also continue to support Flash Player in [[PPAPI]] and/or NPAPI form, including, but not limited to, [[360 Secure Browser]].<ref name="About (CN)"/>
Shortly after Flash reached end-of-life, [[South African Revenue Service]] (SARS) released a custom version of the Chromium browser with the Adobe Flash Player "time bomb" removed. This browser can access only a small set of SARS online pages containing Flash-based forms required for filing financial reports.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |title=South African government releases its own browser just to re-enable Flash support |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/south-african-government-releases-its-own-browser-just-to-re-enable-flash-support/ |access-date=2021-02-03 |website=[[ZDNet]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Adobe Flash Player Projector == Although no longer available directly from Adobe, all versions of Adobe Flash Player Projector (also known as Adobe Flash Player Standalone) lack the "time bomb" present in the newer plug-in variants, and thus continue to be able to play all supported Flash [[file format]]s, including [[SWF]] files, without modification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flash Projectors after 2020 |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/animate-discussions/flash-projectors-after-2020/td-p/11307259 |access-date=2021-10-15 |website=community.adobe.com |date=July 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0"/><ref name="China Debug"/>
=== Adobe Animate === Installations of [[Adobe Animate]] include a version of Adobe Flash Player, which may be found in the folders where the Adobe Animate program is stored.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
== Content preservation projects == {{Main|Adobe Flash#Content preservation projects}}
The [[Internet Archive]] hosts some Flash content and makes it playable in modern browsers via the [[Ruffle (software)|Ruffle]] emulator integrated within its Emularity system.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Jason |date=2020-11-22 |title=Flash Back! Further Thoughts on Flash at the Internet Archive |url=https://blog.archive.org/2020/11/22/flash-back-further-thoughts-on-flash-at-the-internet-archive/ |access-date=2021-01-03 |language=en}}</ref> Other emulators, such as CheerpX, also exist as options for Flash Player emulation on other websites.<ref>{{cite web |title=CheerpX For Flash |url=https://leaningtech.com/cheerpx-for-flash/ |publisher=Leaning Technologies |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> The [[Flashpoint Archive]] project claims to have collected more than 38,000 Adobe Flash Player games and animations and made them available for download.<ref>{{cite web |title=Every Flash game disappears forever in 2020 – but this project has preserved 38,000 of them |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/flash-games-2020-flashpoint |access-date=2021-02-15 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |date=February 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Open source == {{Main|Adobe Flash#Open Source}}
Adobe has released some components of Adobe Flash products as open source software via the Open Screen Project or donated them to open source organizations. As of 2021, most of these technologies are considered obsolete. This includes: [[Tamarin (software)|ActionScript Virtual Machine 2]] (AVM2) which implements [[ActionScript#Timeline by ActionScript version|ActionScript 3]] (donated as open-source to [[Mozilla Foundation]]), [[Apache Flex|Adobe Flex Framework]] (donated as open-source to the [[The Apache Software Foundation|Apache Software Foundation]] and rebranded as Apache Flex,<ref name="Adobe donates Flex to Apache" /> superseded by Apache Royale), [[CrossBridge]] C++ [[Cross compiler|cross-compilation]] toolset (released on [[GitHub]]).<ref name="labsblog4">[http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2013/06/open-source-flash-c-compiler-crossbridge.html Open Source Flash C++ Compiler, CrossBridge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325084106/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2013/06/open-source-flash-c-compiler-crossbridge.html |date=March 25, 2014}}, Adobe Blogs, June 25, 2013</ref><ref name="crossbridge" />
== Criticism ==
=== Accessibility and usability === {{Main|Adobe Flash#Accessibility and usability}} In some browsers, prior Flash versions have had to be uninstalled before an updated version could be installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/installation-problems-flash-player-windows.html |title=Flash Player Help / Installation problems |access-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316173105/http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/installation-problems-flash-player-windows.html |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html |title=Help / Uninstall (old-version) Flash Player (if installation is unsuccessful) |access-date=August 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828230508/http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html |archive-date=August 28, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, as of version 11.2 for Windows, there are now automatic updater options.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Patch-for-Adobe-Flash-closes-two-critical-security-holes-1486334.html |title=Patch for Adobe Flash |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=February 18, 2014 |publisher=[[The H]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222181811/http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Patch-for-Adobe-Flash-closes-two-critical-security-holes-1486334.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Linux is partially supported, as Adobe is cooperating with Google to implement it via Chrome web browser on all Linux platforms.<ref name="Linux">{{cite web |title=Adobe roadmap for the Flash Player |url=https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplatform/whitepapers/roadmap.html |publisher=Adobe |access-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112221026/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplatform/whitepapers/roadmap.html |archive-date=January 12, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mixing Flash applications with HTML leads to inconsistent input handling, leading to poor user experience with the site (keyboard and mouse not working as they would in an HTML-only document).{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
=== Privacy === {{See also|Adobe Flash#Flash cookies}}
Flash Player supports persistent local storage of data (also referred to as [[Local shared object|Local Shared Object]]s), which can be used similarly to [[HTTP cookie]]s or [[Web storage|Web Storage]] in [[web application]]s. Local storage in Flash Player allows websites to store non-executable data on a user's computer, such as authentication information, game high scores or web browser games, server-based session identifiers, site preferences, saved work, or temporary files. Flash Player will only allow content originating from the same website [[domain name|domain]] to access data saved in local storage.<ref name="adobe-lso"/>
Because local storage can be used to save information on a computer that is later retrieved by the same site, a site can use it to gather user statistics, similar to how HTTP cookies and Web Storage can be used. With such technologies, the possibility of building a profile based on user statistics is considered by some a potential [[Internet privacy|privacy concern]]. Users can disable or restrict the use of local storage in Flash Player through a "Settings Manager" page.<ref name="FlashSettings">{{cite web |url=http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html |title=Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620070041/http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html |archive-date=June 20, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager07.html |title=Web Storage Settings Panel |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404195828/http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager07.html |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> These settings can be accessed from the Adobe website or by right-clicking on Flash-based content and selecting "Global Settings".
Local storage can be disabled entirely or on a site-by-site basis. Disabling local storage will block any content from saving local user information using Flash Player, but this may disable or reduce the functionality of some websites, such as saved preferences or high scores, and saved progress in games.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
Flash Player 10.1 and upward honor the [[Private browsing|privacy mode]] settings in the latest versions of the Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari web browsers, such that no local storage data is saved when the browser's privacy mode is in use.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/privacy_mode_fp10.1.html |title=Private browsing in Flash Player 10 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528232408/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/privacy_mode_fp10.1.html |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Security === {{See also|Adobe Flash#Security}}
Adobe security bulletins and advisories announce security updates, but Adobe Flash Player release notes do not disclose the security issues addressed when a release closes security holes, making it difficult to evaluate the urgency of a particular update. A version test page allows the user to check if the latest version is installed, and [[uninstaller]]s may be used to ensure that old-version plugins have been uninstalled from all installed browsers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
In February 2010, Adobe officially apologized<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/emmy/archives/2010/02/flash_bug_repor.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210080408/http://blogs.adobe.com/emmy/archives/2010/02/flash_bug_repor.html |archive-date=February 10, 2010 |title=Flash Bug Report |date=February 6, 2010 |access-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> for not fixing a known vulnerability for over a year. In June 2010 Adobe announced a "critical vulnerability" in recent versions, saying there are reports that this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild against both Adobe Flash Player, and Adobe Reader and Acrobat.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa10-01.html |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |title=Security Advisory for Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Acrobat |access-date=June 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608132423/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa10-01.html |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10257411.stm |title=Adobe acknowledges critical security flaw in software |work=BBC News |date=June 7, 2010}}</ref> Later, in October 2010, Adobe announced<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa10-05.html |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |title=Security Advisory for Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Acrobat |access-date=October 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031162814/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa10-05.html |archive-date=October 31, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> another critical vulnerability, this time also affecting [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based mobile devices. Android users have been recommended to disable Flash or make it only on demand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/10/29/flash-vulnerability-revealed-for-android-fix-coming-november-9th/ |publisher=[[MobileCrunch]] |title=Flash vulnerability revealed for Android, fix coming November 9th |access-date=October 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031004437/http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/10/29/flash-vulnerability-revealed-for-android-fix-coming-november-9th/ |archive-date=October 31, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent security vulnerabilities also exposed Android users, such as the two critical vulnerabilities published in February 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-04.html |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |title=Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709211947/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-04.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> or the four critical vulnerabilities published in March 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-09.html |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |title=Security updates available for Adobe Flash Player |date=March 12, 2013 |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709212522/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-09.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> all of which could lead to arbitrary code execution.
[[Gen Digital|Symantec]]'s Internet Security Threat Report<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www4.symantec.com/Vrt/wl?tu_id=SUKX1271711282503126202 |title=Internet Security Threat Report: Volume XV: April 2010 |publisher=Symantec |pages=37, 40, 42 |date=April 2010 |access-date=May 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425183113/http://www4.symantec.com/Vrt/wl?tu_id=SUKX1271711282503126202 |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> states that a [[Arbitrary code execution|remote code execution]] in [[Adobe Acrobat|Adobe Reader]] and Flash Player<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35759 |title=Adobe Acrobat, Reader, and Flash Player Remote Code Execution Vulnerability |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424020554/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35759 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> was the second most attacked vulnerability in 2009. The same report also recommended using [[browser extension]]s to disable Flash Player usage on untrusted websites. [[McAfee]] predicted that Adobe software, especially Reader and Flash, would be the primary target for attacks in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcafee.com/us/local_content/reports/7985rpt_labs_threat-predict_0110_fnl_lores.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5qBbtBYx6?url=http://mcafee.com/us/local_content/reports/7985rpt_labs_threat-predict_0110_fnl_lores.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |title=2010 Threat Predictions |publisher=McAfee Labs |page=2 |date=December 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2010}}</ref> Adobe applications had become, at least at some point, the most popular client-software targets for attackers during the last quarter of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcafee.com/us/local_content/reports/threats_2009Q4_final.pdf |title=McAfee Threats Report: Fourth quarter 2009 |publisher=McAfee Avert Labs |page=16 |date=February 2010 |access-date=May 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215182751/http://www.mcafee.com/us/local_content/reports/threats_2009Q4_final.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref> The [[Kaspersky Lab|Kaspersky]] Security Network published statistics for the third quarter of 2012 showing that 47.5% of its users were affected by one or more critical vulnerabilities.<ref name="ksn-q312-report">{{cite web |url=http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792250/IT_Threat_Evolution_Q3_2012 |title=IT Threat Evolution: Q3 2012 |publisher=Kaspersky Lab ZAO |date=November 1, 2012 |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105034639/http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792250/IT_Threat_Evolution_Q3_2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The report also highlighted that "Flash Player vulnerabilities enable cybercriminals to bypass security systems integrated into the application."<ref name="ksn-q312-report" />
Steve Jobs criticized the security of Flash Player, noting that "Symantec recently highlighted Flash for having one of the worst security records in 2009."<ref name="thoughtsonflash">{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/ |title=Thoughts on Flash |publisher=Apple |author=Steve Jobs |author-link=Steve Jobs |date=April 29, 2010 |access-date=May 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501010616/http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/ |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Adobe responded by pointing out that "the Symantec Global Internet Threat Report for 2009, found that Flash Player had the second lowest number of vulnerabilities of all Internet technologies listed (which included both web plug-ins and browsers)."<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/choice/flash.html future of Flash] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117165924/http://www.adobe.com/choice/flash.html |date=November 17, 2011}}. Adobe (July 14, 2009). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_internet_security_threat_report_xv_04-2010.en-us.pdf Symantec Global Internet Threat Report for 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804203739/http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_internet_security_threat_report_xv_04-2010.en-us.pdf |date=August 4, 2010}}, page 40, "In 2009, Symantec documented 321 vulnerabilities affecting plug-ins for Web browsers (figure 9). ActiveX technologies were affected by 134 vulnerabilities, which was the highest among the plug-in technologies examined. Of the remaining technologies, Java SE had 84 vulnerabilities, Adobe Reader had 49 vulnerabilities, QuickTime had 27 vulnerabilities, and Adobe Flash Player was subject to 23 vulnerabilities. The remaining four vulnerabilities affected extensions for Firefox."</ref>
On April 7, 2016, Adobe released a Flash Player patch for a [[Zero-day vulnerability|zero-day]] memory corruption vulnerability {{CVE|2016-1019}} that could be used to deliver [[malware]] via the Magnitude exploit kit. The vulnerability could be exploited for [[Arbitrary code execution|remote code execution]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Adobe Patches Flash Zero-Day Exploited by Magnitude EK |date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |url=http://www.securityweek.com/adobe-patches-flash-zero-day-exploited-magnitude-ek |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411012953/http://www.securityweek.com/adobe-patches-flash-zero-day-exploited-magnitude-ek |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Security Advisory for Adobe Flash Player |date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa16-01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604022125/https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsa16-01.html |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Vendor lock-in === {{Main|Adobe Flash#Vendor lock-in}}
Flash Player 11.2 does not play certain kinds of content unless it has been digitally signed by Adobe, following a license obtained by the publisher directly from Adobe.<ref>[http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/07/premium-features-update.html Update: Premium Features for Flash Player] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719123650/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/07/premium-features-update.html |date=July 19, 2014 }}, Adobe AIR and FP Blog</ref>
This move by Adobe, together with the abandonment of Flex to Apache, was criticized as a way to lock out independent tool developers in favor of Adobe's commercial tools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asvguy.com/2012/03/why-will-premium-flash-player-features-kill-flash.html |title=Why will Premium Flash Player Features Kill Flash? |publisher=ASVGuy |date=March 10, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205223510/http://asvguy.com/2012/03/why-will-premium-flash-player-features-kill-flash.html |archive-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-to-charge-flash-coders-to-use-premium-features/ |title=Adobe to charge Flash coders to use 'premium' features |publisher=CNET |date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119064941/http://www.cnet.com/news/adobe-to-charge-flash-coders-to-use-premium-features/ |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://asvguy.com/2012/04/and-then-premium-features-arrived.html |title=And Then Premium Features Arrived… |publisher=ASVGuy |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205215645/http://asvguy.com/2012/04/and-then-premium-features-arrived.html |archive-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref>
This has been resolved as of January 2013, after Adobe no longer required a license or royalty from the developer. All premium features are now classified as general availability and can be freely used by Flash applications.<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/premium-features.html Adobe Premium Features for Flash Player] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821073832/https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/premium-features.html |date=August 21, 2014}}, Flash Player Dev Center, Adobe</ref>
== Apple controversy == {{Main|Thoughts on Flash}}
In April 2010, [[Steve Jobs]], at the time CEO of [[Apple Inc.]] published an open letter explaining why Apple would not support Flash on the [[iPhone]], [[iPod Touch]], and [[iPad]].<ref name="thoughtsonflash" /> In the letter, he blamed problems with the "openness", stability, security, performance, and [[touchscreen]] integration of the Flash Player as reasons for refusing to support it. He also claimed that when one of Apple's [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] computers crashes, "more often than not" the cause can be attributed to Flash, and described Flash as "buggy".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/steve-jobs-unleashes-his-fury-during-town-hall-meeting/ |title=Steve Jobs Unleashes His Fury During Town Hall Meeting |last=Cassella |first=Dena |date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206123547/http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/steve-jobs-unleashes-his-fury-during-town-hall-meeting/ |archive-date=February 6, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Adobe's CEO [[Shantanu Narayen]] responded by saying, "If Flash [is] the number one reason that Macs crash, which I'm not aware of, it has as much to do with the Apple operating system."<ref>Richmond, Shane. (April 30, 2010) [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/shanerichmond/100005034/adobe-hits-back-at-apples-smokescreen/ Adobe hits back at Apple's 'smokescreen' – Telegraph Blogs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503075127/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/shanerichmond/100005034/adobe-hits-back-at-apples-smokescreen/ |date=May 3, 2010 }}. Blogs.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref>
Steve Jobs also claimed that a large percentage of the video on the Internet is supported on iOS, since many popular video sharing websites such as YouTube have published video content in an [[HTML5]] compatible format, enabling videos to play back in mobile web browsers even without Flash Player.<ref>[https://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2010/07/youtube-mobile-gets-kick-start.html YouTube Mobile gets a kick start] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107183905/http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2010/07/youtube-mobile-gets-kick-start.html |date=January 7, 2012}}, Official YouTube Blog</ref>
=== Mainland China–specific variant === Starting with version 30, Adobe stopped distributing Flash Player directly to users from mainland China. Instead, they selected 2144.cn as a partner and released a special variant of Flash Player on a specific website,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flash.cn/ |title=Flash Player官方下载-Flash中国官网 |website=Flash.cn |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095907/https://www.flash.cn/ |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> which contains a non-closable process, known as the "Flash Helper Service", that [[spyware|collects private information]] and [[adware|pops up advertisement window contents]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2501775 |title=Adobe update on 6/12/18 include 2144 game cente... {{!}} Adobe Community |website=forums.adobe.com |language=en |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093510/https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2501775 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/message/10466686 |title=Adobe's 'Partner' 2144 in China has suspicious ... {{!}} Adobe Community |website=forums.adobe.com |date=June 26, 2018 |language=en |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095824/https://forums.adobe.com/message/10466686 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-9203 |title=Uninstall 2144 Game Center {{!}} Adobe Community |website=forums.adobe.com |language=en |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095830/https://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-9203 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> by receiving and running encrypted programs from a remote server.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roter |first1=Tom |title=The Curious Case of FlashHelperService - Updated |url=https://blog.minerva-labs.com/the-curious-case-of-flashhelperservice-0 |website=Minerva Labs |date=February 10, 2021 |language=en-us }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> The partnership started in about 2017, but in version 30, Adobe disabled the usage of vanilla (global) variant of Flash Player in mainland China,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/message/10497874 |title=Flashplayer Is Incompatible With Your Area {{!}} Adobe Community |website=forums.adobe.com |date=June 14, 2018 |language=en |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095821/https://forums.adobe.com/message/10497874 |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> forcing users to use that specific variant, which may pose a risk to its users due to [[Internet censorship in China|Internet censorship]] by the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/2018/07/it%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%B6-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E7%89%B9%E4%BE%9B%E7%89%88flash%E8%A2%AB%E6%9B%9D%E5%90%91%E6%9C%89%E5%85%B3%E9%83%A8%E9%97%A8%E6%90%9C%E9%9B%86%E7%94%A8%E6%88%B7%E9%9A%90%E7%A7%81/ |title=IT之家 {{!}} 中国特供版Flash被曝向有关部门搜集用户隐私 – 中国数字时代 |website=chinadigitaltimes.net |language=zh-CN |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095844/https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/2018/07/it%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%B6-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E7%89%B9%E4%BE%9B%E7%89%88flash%E8%A2%AB%E6%9B%9D%E5%90%91%E6%9C%89%E5%85%B3%E9%83%A8%E9%97%A8%E6%90%9C%E9%9B%86%E7%94%A8%E6%88%B7%E9%9A%90%E7%A7%81/ |archive-date=July 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> This only affected Chinese [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] based browser users, [[Firefox]] users, and [[Internet Explorer]] users using [[Windows 7]] and below, as Microsoft still directly distributed Flash Player for Internet Explorer and [[Microsoft Edge Legacy]] through [[Windows Update]] in Windows 8 and upward at the time. [[#Post-EOL support|Starting in 2021]], however, this variant is the only publicly supported version of Flash Player.
== Release history == {{Hidden begin|border=solid 1px #aaa|title={{center|Adobe Flash Player version history}}}}
* '''FutureSplash Player 1.1'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futurewave.com/support/playernotes.htm|title=FutureSplash Player 1.1|access-date=December 2, 2021|publisher=FutureWave Software, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961105023744/http://www.futurewave.com/support/playernotes.htm|archive-date=November 5, 1996|url-status=dead}}</ref> ** New scripting features ** Option to disable the menu and memory management optimizations * '''Macromedia Flash Player 2''' (June 17, 1997) ** Mostly vectors and motion, some [[bitmap]]s, limited audio ** Support of stereo sound, enhanced bitmap integration, buttons, the Library, and the ability to [[Inbetweening|tween]] color changes * '''Macromedia Flash Player 3''' (May 31, 1998) ** Added alpha transparency, licensed MP3 compression ** Brought improvements to animation, playback, digital art, and publishing, as well as the introduction of simple script commands for interactivity * '''Macromedia Flash Player 4''' (June 15, 1999) ** Saw the introduction of [[Streaming media|streaming]] MP3s and the Motion Tween. Initially, the Flash Player plug-in was not bundled with popular web browsers, and users had to visit the Macromedia website to download it. As of 2000, however, the Flash Player was already being distributed with all [[AOL]], [[Netscape]], and [[Internet Explorer]] browsers. Two years later, it shipped with all releases of [[Windows XP]]. The installed base of the Flash Player reached 92 percent of all Internet users. * '''Macromedia Flash Player 5''' (August 24, 2000) ** A major advance in ability, with the evolution of Flash's scripting abilities, as released as ActionScript ** Saw the ability to customize the authoring environment's [[User interface|interface]] ** Macromedia Generator was the first initiative from Macromedia to separate design from content in Flash files. Generator 2.0 was released in April 2001 and featured real-time server-side generation of Flash content in its Enterprise Edition. Generator was discontinued in 2002, in favor of new technologies such as Flash Remoting, which allows for seamless transmission of data between the server and the client, and [[Adobe ColdFusion|ColdFusion]] Server. ** In October 2000, [[usability]] guru [[Jakob Nielsen (usability consultant)|Jakob Nielsen]] wrote a polemic article regarding the usability of Flash content entitled "[http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20001029.html Flash: 99% Bad]". (Macromedia later hired Nielsen to help them improve Flash usability.) [[File:Flash logo.PNG|thumb|right|200px|The old Macromedia Flash Player logo]] * '''Macromedia Flash Player 6''' (version 6.0.21.0, codenamed ''[[Exorcist]]'') (March 15, 2002) ** Support for the consuming Flash Remoting ([[Action Message Format|AMF]]) and Web Service (SOAP) ** Supports ondemand/live audio and video streaming ([[Real-Time Messaging Protocol|RTMP]]) ** Support for screenreaders via Microsoft Active Accessibility ** Added [[Sorenson Media#Encoding technologies|Sorenson Spark]] video [[codec]] for [[Flash Video]]<ref>Macromedia, Inc. (March 4, 2002) [https://web.archive.org/web/20060618191724/http://www.adobe.com/macromedia/proom/pr/2002/flash_mx_video.html Macromedia and Sorenson Media bring video to Macromedia Flash content and applications], Retrieved on August 9, 2009</ref> ** Support for video, application components, shared libraries, and accessibility ** Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX, also released in 2002, allowed video to be streamed to Flash Player 6 (otherwise the video could be embedded into the Flash movie). * '''Macromedia Flash Player 7''' (version 7.0.14.0, codenamed ''Mojo'') (September 10, 2003) ** Supports progressive audio and video streaming ([[HTTP]]) ** Supports ActionScript 2.0, an object-oriented programming language for developers ** Ability to create charts, graphs, and additional text effects with the new support for extensions (sold separately), high fidelity import of [[PDF]] and [[Adobe Illustrator]] 10 files, mobile and device development, and a forms-based development environment. ActionScript 2.0 was also introduced, giving developers a formal object-oriented approach to ActionScript. V2 Components replaced Flash MX's components, being rewritten from the ground up to take advantage of ActionScript 2.0 and object-oriented principles. ** In 2004, the "Flash Platform" was introduced. This expanded Flash to more than the Flash authoring tool. [[Apache Flex|Flex]] 1.0 and [[Adobe Connect|Breeze]] 1.0 were released, both of which used the Flash Player as a delivery method but relied on tools other than the Flash authoring program to create Flash applications and presentations. Flash Lite 1.1 was also released, enabling mobile phones to play Flash content. ** Last official version for Windows 95/NT4 and Mac Classic<ref name="dead" /> * '''Macromedia Flash Player 8''' (version 8.0.22.0, codenamed ''[[Whirlpool|Maelstrom]]'') (September 13, 2005) ** Support for runtime loading of GIF and PNG images ** New video codec ([[On2 Technologies|On2]] [[VP6]]) ** Improved runtime performance and runtime bitmap caching ** Live filters and blend modes ** File upload and download abilities ** New text-rendering engine, the [[Saffron Type System]] ** ExternalAPI subsystem introduced to replace fscommand ** On December 3, 2005, Adobe Systems acquired Macromedia and its product portfolio (including Flash).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200512/120505AdobeAcquiresMacromedia.html |title=Adobe Completes Acquisition of Macromedia |access-date=June 18, 2007 |date=December 5, 2005 |publisher=Adobe Systems |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602174522/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200512/120505AdobeAcquiresMacromedia.html |archive-date=June 2, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''Macromedia Flash Player 8''' (version 8.0.24.0) (April 23, 2006) * '''Adobe Flash Player 9''' (version 9.0.15.0, codenamed ''[[Zaphod Beeblebrox|Zaphod]]'' and formerly named Flash Player 8.5) (June 22, 2006) ** Introduction of [[Tamarin (software)|ActionScript Virtual Machine 2]] (AVM2) with AVM1 retained for compatibility ** ActionScript 3 (a superset of [[ECMAScript|ECMAScript 3]]) via AVM2 ** [[ECMAScript for XML|E4X]], which is a new approach to parsing XML ** Support for binary [[Network socket|sockets]] ** Support for [[regular expression]]s and namespaces ** AVM2 donated to [[Mozilla Foundation]] as open-source virtual machine named [[Tamarin (software)|Tamarin]] * '''Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 1''' (version 9.0.28.0, codenamed ''[[Marvin the Paranoid Android|Marvin]]'') (November 9, 2006)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/emmy/2006/11/flash_player_9_4.html |title=Flash Player 9 Update (9.0.28.0) release now available for Windows and Macintosh |last=Huang |first=Emmy |date=November 15, 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625075832/http://weblogs.macromedia.com/emmy/archives/2006/11/flash_player_9_4.cfm |archive-date=June 25, 2007}}</ref> ** Support for fullscreen mode<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/full_screen_mode.html |title=Exploring full-screen mode in Flash Player 9 |publisher=Adobe Developer Center |date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404063906/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/full_screen_mode.html |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''Adobe Flash Player 9''' (version 9.0.45.0) (March 27, 2007) ** Support for Creative Suite 3. * '''Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 2''' (version Mac/Windows 9.0.47.0 and Linux 9.0.48.0, codenamed ''[[List of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy characters#Hotblack Desiato|Hotblack]]'') (June 11, 2007) ** Security update ** Last update for 95/NT. * '''Adobe Flash Player 9 Update 3''' (version 9.0.115.0, codenamed ''Moviestar'' or ''Frogstar'') (December 4, 2007)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.adobe.com/penguinswf/2007/12/flash_player_9_update_3_final.html |title=Flash Player 9 Update 3 (Final) |last=Melanson |first=Mike |date=December 4, 2007 |access-date=January 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907232212/http://blogs.adobe.com/penguinswf/2007/12/flash_player_9_update_3_final.html |archive-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref> ** [[Advanced Video Coding|H.264]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200712/120407adobemoviestar.html |title=Adobe Delivers Flash Player 9 with H.264 Video Support |website=adobe.com |date=December 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212234753/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200712/120407adobemoviestar.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> ** [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] ([[High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding|HE-AAC]], AAC Main Profile, and AAC-LC) ** New Flash Video file format F4V based on the [[ISO base media file format]] (MPEG-4 Part 12) ** Support for container formats based on the ISO base media file format<ref name="adobe-codecs">Adobe Systems Incorporated (December 3, 2007) [http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/402/kb402866.html List of codecs supported by Adobe Flash Player] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819083137/http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/402/kb402866.html |date=August 19, 2009}}, Retrieved on August 5, 2009</ref> ** Last version for Windows 98/ME and other platforms<ref name="dead">{{cite web |url=http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html |title=Archived Flash Player versions |publisher=[[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215090650/http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html |archive-date=February 15, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''Adobe Flash Player 10 ''' (version 10.0.12.36, codenamed ''Astro'') (October 15, 2008) ** ''New features'' *** 3D object transformations *** Custom filters via Pixel Bender *** Advanced text support *** [[Speex]] audio codec *** [[Real-Time Media Flow Protocol|Real Time Media Flow Protocol]] (RTMFP) *** Dynamic sound generation *** Vector data type ** ''Enhanced features'' *** Larger bitmap support *** Graphics drawing API *** Context menu *** Hardware acceleration *** Anti-aliasing engine (Saffron 3.1) *** Read/write clipboard access *** WMODE * '''Adobe Flash Player 10 ''' (version 10.0.32.18) (July 27, 2009) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10 ''' (version 10.0.42.34) (November 16, 2009) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10 ''' (version 10.0.45.2) (February 21, 2010) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.1''' (version 10.1.52.14) (2010) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.1''' (version 10.1.53.64, codenamed ''[[Argo]]'') (June 10, 2010)<ref>{{cite web |last=Halfast |first=Todd |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2010/06/flash_player_101_now_available.html |title=Flash Player 10.1 Now Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux " Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Team Blog |publisher=Blogs.adobe.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511095927/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2010/06/flash_player_101_now_available.html |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ** Reuse of bitmap data copies for better memory management ** Improved garbage collector ** Hardware-based H.264 video decoding ** HTTP Dynamic Streaming ** Peer-assisted networking and multicast ** Support for browser [[Private browsing|privacy mode]]s ** Multi-touch APIs ** ''For Macs/OSX 10.4 ppc or later'' *** Using Cocoa UI for Macs *** Use of a double-buffered OpenGL context for full-screen *** Use of Core Animation * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.2''' (version 10.2.152.26, codenamed ''Spicy'') (February 8, 2011) ** Stage Video, a full hardware-accelerated video pipeline ** [[Internet Explorer 9]] hardware-accelerated rendering support ** Custom native mouse cursors ** Multiple monitor full-screen support ** Enhanced [[subpixel rendering]] for text <!-- Releases with new features should be added, not security releases --> <!-- I disagree. Releases with just security releases should be noted, too. --> * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.2''' (version 10.2.152.32) (February 28, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.2''' (version 10.2.153.1) (March 21, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.2''' (version 10.2.159.1) (April 15, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.181.14, codenamed ''[[Wasabi]]'') (May 12, 2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/901/cpsid_90194.html#main_new |title=features Flash Player 10.3 Release Notes |publisher=Kb2.adobe.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430051933/http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/901/cpsid_90194.html#main_new |archive-date=April 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Media measurement (video analytics for websites; desktop only) ** Acoustic Echo Cancellation (acoustic echo cancellation, noise suppression, voice activity detection, automatic compensation for microphone input levels; desktop only) ** Integration with browser privacy controls for managing local storage (ClearSiteData NPAPI) ** Native control panel ** Auto-update notification for Mac OS X ** Last version for Mac OS X 10.5<ref name="dead" /> and Windows 2000 (unofficially bypassing the XP installer) ** Adobe replaced Extended Support Release 10.3 by 11.7 on July 9, 2013.<ref name="esr">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2013/05/extended-support-release-updated-to-flash-player-11-7.html |title=Extended Support Release Updated to Flash Player 11.7 |date=May 17, 2013 |author=Tareq Aljaber |publisher=[[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] |work=Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Team Blog |access-date=February 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002060850/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2013/05/extended-support-release-updated-to-flash-player-11-7.html |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.181.23) (June 5, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.181.26) (June 14, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.181.34) (June 29, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.5) (August 14, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.7) (August 24, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.10) (September 21, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.11) (November 11, 2011) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.25) (September 18, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 10.3''' (version 10.3.183.29) (October 8, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11''' (version 11.0.1.152, codenamed ''[[Serrano pepper|Serrano]]'') (October 4, 2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/919/cpsid_91932.html#main_new_features |title=Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 Release Notes: 10/04/11 |publisher=Kb2.adobe.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430051947/http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/919/cpsid_91932.html#main_new_features |archive-date=April 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** ''Desktop only'' *** Stage 3D accelerated graphics rendering<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/newsletters/inspire/january2011/articles/article1/index.html Introducing Molehill: 3D APIs for Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708084839/http://www.adobe.com/newsletters/inspire/january2011/articles/article1/index.html |date=July 8, 2012}}, Adobe Edge</ref> **** Desktop: Windows ([[DirectX]] 9), OS X ([[List of Intel processors|Intel processor]] only) and Linux ([[OpenGL]] 1.3), [[Findev#SwiftShader|SwiftShader]] fallback **** Mobile: Android and iOS ([[OpenGL ES]] 2) *** H.264/AVC software encoding for cameras *** Native 64-bit *** Asynchronous bitmap decoding *** TLS secure sockets ** ''Desktop and mobile'' *** Stage Video hardware acceleration *** Native extension libraries<ref>[https://www.adobe.com/devnet/air/articles/extending-air.html Extending AIR] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724082951/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/air/articles/extending-air.html |date=July 24, 2014}}, Adobe Devnet</ref> **** Desktop: Windows (.dll), OS X (.framework) **** Mobile: Android (.jar, .so), iOS (.a) *** [[JPEG XR]] decoding *** [[G.711]] audio compression for telephony *** Protected HTTP Dynamic Streaming (HDS) *** Unlimited bitmap size *** [[Lempel–Ziv–Markov chain algorithm|LZMA]] SWF compression ** ''Mobile only'' *** H.264/AAC playback *** Front-facing camera *** Background audio playback *** Device speaker control *** 16- and 32-bit color depth * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.1''' (version 11.1.102.55, codenamed ''[[Anza Vista, San Francisco|Anza]]'') (November 10, 2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/923/cpsid_92359.html#main_new_features |title=Flash Player 11.1 and AIR 3.1 User Release Notes: 11/09/11 |publisher=Kb2.adobe.com |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430051952/http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/923/cpsid_92359.html#main_new_features |archive-date=April 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Last version of the web browser plug-in for mobile devices (made for Android 2.2 to 4.0.3) ** iOS 5 native extensions for AIR ** StageText: Native text input UI for Android ** Security enhancements, last official version for Windows 2000 and XP RTM-SP1<ref name="dead" /> * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.1''' (version 11.1.102.62) (March 5, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.2''' (version 11.2.202.228) (March 28, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.2''' (version 11.2.202.233) (April 12, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.2''' (version 11.2.202.235, codenamed ''Brannan'') (May 3, 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalmedia/2012/03/adobe-introduces-premium-features-for-gaming-with-flash-player-11-2-announces-collaboration-with-unity-technologies-2/ |title=Adobe Introduces Premium Features for Gaming with Flash Player 11.2; Announces Collaboration with Unity Technologies |publisher=adobe.com |access-date=May 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514033700/http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalmedia/2012/03/adobe-introduces-premium-features-for-gaming-with-flash-player-11-2-announces-collaboration-with-unity-technologies-2/ |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** The Windows version offers automatic updater options<ref name="auto" /> ** Dropped support of the browser plug-in for mobile devices (Android). Android app developers are encouraged to use Adobe Air, and Android web developers should switch to HTML5. ** Extended support for Flash player 11.2 on Solaris, as it is the last version to be supported.<ref name="dead" /> ** Adobe replaced Extended Support Release 11.2 on Linux with 24.0 on December 13, 2016. * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.257) (June 8, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.262) (June 21, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.265) (July 11, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.268) (July 26, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.270) (August 4, 2012) ** ''Desktop and mobile'' *** Fullscreen interactive mode (keyboard input during fullscreen) *** Native bitmap encoding and compression (PNG, JPEG, JPEG-XR) *** Draw bitmaps with quality (low, medium, high, best) *** Texture streaming for Stage3D *** Dropped support for Linux and Solaris ** ''Mobile-only'' *** Auto-orientation on specific devices *** USB debugging for AIR on iOS * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.271) (September 18, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.3''' (version 11.3.300.273) (October 3, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.4''' (version 11.4.402.259) (August 10, 2012) ** ''Flash Player only'' *** ActionScript workers *** SandboxBridge support *** Licensing support: Flash Player Premium features for gaming ** ''Flash Player and AIR'' *** Stage3D "constrained" profile for increased GPU reach *** [[Lempel–Ziv–Markov chain algorithm|LZMA]] support for <code>ByteArray</code> *** StageVideo attachCamera/Camera improvements *** Compressed texture with alpha support for Stage3D *** DXT encoding ** ''AIR only'' *** Deprecated Carbon APIs for AIR *** Direct AIR deployment using ADT *** Push notifications for iOS *** Ambient AudioPlaybackMode *** Exception support in Native Extensions for iOS * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.4''' (version 11.4.402.265) (August 21, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.4''' (version 11.4.402.278) (September 18, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.4''' (version 11.4.402.287) (October 8, 2012) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.5'''<ref name="adobe">{{cite web |url=https://www.adobe.com/devnet/articles/flashplayer-air-feature-list.html |title=Flash Player and Adobe AIR feature list |publisher=adobe.com |access-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514134319/http://www.adobe.com/devnet/articles/flashplayer-air-feature-list.html |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Shared ByteArray ** Invoke Event enhancement (for openurl) ** Packaging multiple libraries in an ANE (iOS) ** Debug stack trace in release builds of Flash Player ** Statistically link DRM (desktop only) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.6''' (codenamed ''[[Folsom Street|Folsom]]'')<ref name="adobe" /> ** Lossless video export from standalone and authplay.dll ** Support for flash.display.graphics.readGraphicsData() that returns a Vector of IGraphicsData ** Improve permissions UI related to full-screen keyboard access ** Prevent ActiveX abuse in Office documents ** Support file access in the cloud on Windows ** Enhance multi-SWF support ** Migration certification for ANEs ** RectangleTexture ** File API update so AIR apps conform to Apple data storage guidelines ** Separate sampler state for Stage3D ** Set device-specific Retina Display resolution (iOS) * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.7''' (version 11.7.700.169, codenamed ''[[Geary Boulevard|Geary]]'') (April 9, 2013)<ref name="adobe" /> ** SharedObject.preventBackup property ** forceCPURenderModeForDevices ** Remote hosting of SWF files in case of multiple SWFs ** Support for uploading 16-bit texture formats ** GameInput updates ** Android – create captive runtime apps ** Adobe replaced Extended Support Release 11.7 on Mac and Windows with 13.0 on May 13, 2014.<ref name="esr-13">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2014/03/upcoming-changes-to-flash-players-extended-support-release.html |title=Upcoming changes to Flash Player's extended support release |date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=December 17, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001120818/http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2014/03/upcoming-changes-to-flash-players-extended-support-release.html |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.8''' (codenamed ''Harrison'')<ref name="adobe" /> ** Stage3D baselineExtended profile ** Recursive stop on MovieClip ** Flash Player & AIR Desktop Game Pad Support ** Support for large textures (extendedBaseline, 4096) ** Rectangle texture ** DatagramSocket ** ServerSocket ** Substitute a redirected URL from a source URLRequest for part of the URL in a new URLRequest * '''Adobe Flash Player 11.9''' (codenamed ''Irving'')<ref name="adobe" /> ** [[OS X Mavericks]] Support ** [[.pkg|Mac .pkg]] Installation Support * '''Adobe Flash Player 12''' (codenamed ''Jones'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.adobe.com/message/5843868 |title=Flash Player 12.0.0.3 |date=November 14, 2013 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=December 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102104/http://forums.adobe.com/message/5843868 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> (November 14, 2013) ** Improved Mac .pkg Installation Support for the workflow and [[User Interface|UI]] ** Support for [[Internet Explorer 11]] on Windows 7 ** Support for Safe Mode in [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]] 6.1 and higher ** 64-bit PPAPI Flash Player for [[Google Chrome]] ** Graphics: Buffer Usage flag for Stage3D * '''Adobe Flash Player 13''' (codenamed ''King'')<ref name="beta">{{cite web |url=http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer.html |title=Adobe Labs Downloads |date=April 22, 2015 |access-date=April 25, 2015 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems|Adobe]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425052838/http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer.html |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.adobe.com/message/6063387 |title=Flash Player 13.0.0.80 |date=January 28, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222225809/http://forums.adobe.com/message/6063387 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Supplementary Characters Enhancement Support for Text Field ** Full-screen video message tweak ** {{As of|2014|05|13|df=}} this is the ''Extended Support Release''.<ref name="esr-13" /> * '''Adobe Flash Player 14''' (version 14.0.0.125, codenamed ''[[Lombard Street (San Francisco)|Lombard]]'') (June 10, 2014)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/message/6633623#6633623 |title=8/12/2014 – Release – Flash Player 14 |date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=January 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111235027/https://forums.adobe.com/message/6633623#6633623 |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Stage 3D Standard profile * '''Adobe Flash Player 14''' (version 14.0.0.145) (July 8, 2014) * '''Adobe Flash Player 14''' (version 14.0.0.179) (August 12, 2014) * '''Adobe Flash Player 15''' (version 15.0.0.152, codenamed ''[[Market Street (San Francisco)|Market]]'') (September 9, 2014)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/message/6919568#6919568 |title=11/11/2014 – Release – Flash Player 15 |date=November 11, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=January 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111234935/https://forums.adobe.com/message/6919568#6919568 |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Improved support for browser zoom levels * '''Adobe Flash Player 15''' (version 15.0.0.167) (September 23, 2014) * '''Adobe Flash Player 15''' (version 15.0.0.223) (November 11, 2014) * '''Adobe Flash Player 16''' (version 16.0.0.235, codenamed ''Natoma'') (December 9, 2014)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/message/6999464#6999464 |title=12/9/2014 – Release – Flash Player 16 |date=December 9, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=January 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215235949/https://forums.adobe.com/message/6999464#6999464 |archive-date=December 15, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Stage3D – Standard Constrained Profile ** PPAPI Installers for Windows and Mac * '''Adobe Flash Player 16''' (version 16.0.0.257) (January 13, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 16''' (version 16.0.0.287) (January 22, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 16''' (version 16.0.0.296) (January 27, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 16''' (version 16.0.0.305) (February 5, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 17''' (version 17.0.0.134, codenamed ''[[Octavia Boulevard|Octavia]]'') (March 12, 2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1736527 |title=12/3/2015 – Release – Flash Player 17 |date=March 12, 2014 |publisher=[[Adobe Systems]] |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322110640/https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1736527 |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> ** Control Panel improvements ** Installer improvements for Mac * '''Adobe Flash Player 17''' (version 17.0.0.169) (April 14, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 17''' (version 17.0.0.188) (May 12, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 18''' (version 18.0.0.160, codenamed ''[[Presidio of San Francisco|Presidio]]'') (June 9, 2015) ** Contains fixes for Adobe Security Bulletin APSB 15–11<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb15-11.html |title=Adobe Security Bulletin |access-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329003340/https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/flash-player/apsb15-11.html |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''Adobe Flash Player 18''' (version 18.0.0.194) (June 23, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 18''' (version 18.0.0.203) (July 8, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 18''' (version 18.0.0.209) (July 14, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 18''' (version 18.0.0.232) (August 11, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 19''' (version 19.0.0.185, codenamed ''Quint'') (September 21, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 19''' (version 19.0.0.207) (October 13, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 19''' (version 19.0.0.226) (October 16, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 19''' (version 19.0.0.245) (November 10, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 20''' (version 20.0.0.228, codenamed ''Rankin'') (December 8, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 20''' (version 20.0.0.267) (December 28, 2015) * '''Adobe Flash Player 20''' (version 20.0.0.270) (January 1, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 20''' (version 20.0.0.286) (January 19, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 20''' (version 20.0.0.306) (February 9, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.182, codenamed ''Sutter'') (March 10, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.197) (March 23, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.213) (April 7, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.216) (April 8, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.226) (April 21, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 21''' (version 21.0.0.242) (May 12, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 22''' (version 22.0.0.185, codenamed ''Townsend'') (June 16, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 22''' (version 22.0.0.209) (July 12, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 22''' (version 22.0.0.210) (July 14, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 23''' (version 23.0.0.162, codenamed ''Underwood'') (September 13, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 23''' (version 23.0.0.185) (October 11, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 23''' (version 23.0.0.205) (October 26, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 23''' (version 23.0.0.207) (November 8, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 24''' (version 24.0.0.186, codenamed ''[[Van Ness Avenue|Van Ness]]'') (December 13, 2016) * '''Adobe Flash Player 24''' (version 24.0.0.194) (January 10, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 24''' (version 24.0.0.221) (February 14, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 25''' (version 25.0.0.127, codenamed ''Webster'') (March 14, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 25''' (version 25.0.0.148) (April 11, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 25''' (version 25.0.0.163) (April 20, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 25''' (version 25.0.0.171) (May 9, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 26''' (version 26.0.0.126, codenamed ''York'') (June 13, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 26''' (version 26.0.0.131) (June 16, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 26''' (version 26.0.0.137) (July 11, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 26''' (version 26.0.0.151) (August 8, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 27''' (version 27.0.0.130, codenamed ''Zoe'') (September 12, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 27''' (version 27.0.0.159) (October 10, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 27''' (version 27.0.0.170) (October 16, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 27''' (version 27.0.0.183) (October 25, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 27''' (version 27.0.0.187) (November 14, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 28''' (version 28.0.0.126, codenamed ''Atka'') (December 12, 2017) * '''Adobe Flash Player 28''' (version 28.0.0.137) (January 9, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 28''' (version 28.0.0.161) (February 6, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 29''' (version 29.0.0.113) (March 13, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 29''' (version 29.0.0.140) (April 10, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 29''' (version 29.0.0.171) (May 8, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 30''' (version 30.0.0.113) (June 7, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 30''' (version 30.0.0.134) (July 10, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 30''' (version 30.0.0.154) (August 14, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 31''' (version 31.0.0.108) (September 11, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 31''' (version 31.0.0.122) (October 9, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 31''' (version 31.0.0.148) (November 13, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.101) (December 5, 2018) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.114) (January 8, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.142) (February 12, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.156) (March 12, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.171) (April 9, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.192) (May 14, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.207) (June 11, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.223) (July 9, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.238) (August 13, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.255) (September 10, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.270) (October 9, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.293) (November 12, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.303) (December 10, 2019) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.314) (January 14, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.321) (January 21, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.330) (February 11, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.344) (March 10, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.363) (April 14, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.371) (May 12, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.387) (June 9, 2020) ** Refuses to play Flash content after January 12, 2021, and instead displays a static warning message. * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.403) (July 14, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.414) (August 11, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.433) (September 8, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.445) (October 13, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.453) (November 10, 2020) * '''Adobe Flash Player 32''' (version 32.0.0.465) (December 8, 2020) ** '''Final global variant update.''' {{Hidden end}}
== See also == * [[Adobe AIR]] * [[Adobe Shockwave]] * [[Apache Flex]] * [[Java applet]] * [[Microsoft Silverlight]] * [[Ruffle (software)]] (WASM [web] targeting reimplementation of Adobe Flash Player)
== Notes == {{notefoot}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== Further reading == * [https://www.adobe.com/devnet/scout/articles/understanding-flashplayer-with-scout.html Understanding Flash Player with Adobe Scout] – an article discussing the internals of the player and the [[Adobe Scout]] profiling tool
== External links == * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer.html}} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401020702/https://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/debug_downloads.html |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Final global variant version of the standalone projector.}} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718192527/https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html |date=July 18, 2020 |title=Archived Adobe Flash Player versions}} * [https://www.flashtester.org/ Flash Tester] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142338/https://www.flashtester.org/ |date=June 12, 2018}} (explains official old working version check)
{{Adobe Flash}} {{Adobe Systems}}
[[Category:Adobe Flash]] [[Category:1996 software]] [[Category:Adobe software|Flash Player]] [[Category:Classic Mac OS media players]] [[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1996]] [[Category:IRIX software]] [[Category:Linux media players]] [[Category:MacOS media players]] [[Category:Macromedia software|Flash Player]] [[Category:Obsolete technologies]] [[Category:OS/2 software]] [[Category:Solaris media players]] [[Category:Windows components]] [[Category:Windows media players]] [[Category:Discontinued Adobe software|Flash Player]] [[Category:Freeware]] [[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2020]]