How to Flash Samsung Galaxy S4

Once you get your hands on your brand new Galaxy S4, you may encounter the Flash issue. Galaxy S4 does not support Flash!

Even after you side-load the Flash (see below on how to do this), neither the stock browser (Internet app) nor  the bundled Chrome recognize Flash.

For Chrome for Android, we all know Flash has been never supported. Do not confuse this Chrome with the Chrome on your desktop.

But for the stock browser, it is quite strange, because the stock browser (with Jelly Bean 4.2) in Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 all work charmingly with Flash!.  For Jelly Bean 4.1, there are no issues even on Samsung’s own handsets, for example, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2. What’s wrong?

Apparently, the stock browser in Galaxy S4 was altered by Samsung to block Flash plugin and other plugins as well.

So, to make Flash work on your S4, we need both Flash player (which is not pre-installed) and a third-party browser.

Before jumping to how to do this, let’s get some background information on why Flash has been an issue for Jelly Bean.

Flash was banned by Apple on iOS! The official explanations include: 1) Flash is not open (same as iOS); 2). There are better alternatives; 3). Reliability, security and performance issues; 4).Battery life issues; 5).Flash is not for touch screen; 6). Flash is a cross platform development tool.  Actually, the last one is what Apple fears.

Of course, Flash is not as crappy as what Apple painted. A lot of websites are still using this “old” or “PC Era” technology. There are still sizable (although probably decling after it is banned by Apple)  developers So, Flash support has been part of feature list for most Android devices. However, Adobe decided to pull the plug. The Flash player app was withdrawn from Play Store. The official support for Android was stopped at Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich).

In fact, Adobe is still maintaining the apk on their website. And Flash still plays nicely with Jelly Bean 4.1 and 4.2. Some vendors (for example, HTC) actually pre-install Flash on their handsets.

So, the Flash problem in Galaxy S4 was simply created by Samsung. It has nothing to do with Flash or Jelly Bean.

As mentioned, the solution is to install Flash player AND install a third-party browser. Here are the steps.

Part 1. Get the Adobe Flash Player (based on this guide: 

 How do I manually install Flash Player on my Android device?)

1. Make sure your Android device is connected to the Internet.
2. Go to Settings–Security
3. Check the “Unknown sources” check box. (under Device administration)
4. Tap OK to confirm your selection.
5. Close Settings.
6. Launch the browser.
7. Search for “flash player archive page” or navigate directly to http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html 
8. On the Archive page, scroll down to “Flash Player for Android archives”
9. Select Flash Player 11.1 for Android 4.0 (11.1.115.54)    Flash Player 11.1 for Android 4.0 (11.1.115.69)
10. Tap the link to download the Flash Player installer. Download begins automatically.
11. When download completes, close the browser.
12. Open Notifications.
13. Tap “install_flash_player.apk”
14. When prompted, tap Install.
15. When installation is finished, tap Done.

(you can also download the apk file on your PC, copy the file to S4, then install it)

Part 2. Get a browser that support Flash on Galaxy S4

As mentioned, neither Chrome nor the stock browser (aka internet app) does not work with Flash on your S4.

Not all third-part browsers work with Flash on Jelly Bean. Here are a few we tested. yYou do not need to have them all, but it is better to test different browsers for the Flash site you are going to visit. Some browsers work great for some sites, but not other sites.

1.  Firefox. To be frank, Firefox for Android is not a great app. It is a bit buggy on Jelly Bean. But it is a reliable browser for most sites. Please note, after installing Flash, you need restart Firefox (in the Task Manager, stop it; then start it again).
2. Boat Browser (free). It simply works. By default, the Flash plugin is disabled. You need tap the menu button, go to settings–Page content settings-Enable flash/plug-ins, and set it as always on.
3. UC Browser. It should work without any additional settings. The Flash will not play automatically, and you need touch the play button on each Flash video.

Of course, there are many other browsers that support Flash.  You can test whether Flash is supported by visiting: http://help.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/find-version-flash-player.html 

Do you still have problems to use Flash on your S4? Do you have any suggestions? Post them in the comment box below.