Considering that Flash Player is no longer available, it has become more difficult to view some files, such as those with the .SWF extension. If you are one of the people who needs to know how to easily open swf files, keep reading because we have some good tips for you.
If you don't know what type of SWF file is or how you can open it in your browser now that Flash Player is not working, don't worry because we explain everything below.
What is a .SWF file?
SWF files or Small Web Format files, are files that have been created by an Adobe program. They are usually files that include text and interactive graphics. This type of file is very common, especially in a variety of online games.
These types of files are known for being a compressed file that includes video, animations and audios that are lightweight and easy to play and share online. However, being primarily an Adobe product, the use of SWF is compromised by the recent removal of Flash Player. This has made it necessary to find other ways to play the files in various browsers.
How to easily open swf files in chrome
Since Adobe will not allow Flash player plugins to work on newer versions of Chrome, you will not be able to play SWF files in the Chrome browser as normal. However, there are a few ways to work around this:
Using outdated software
If you have a Chrome version that has not been updated As of before December 31, 2020, you should be able to use it to play your SWF files.
However, this is a solution we do not recommend. If you do not update your Chrome software, the result could be security issues, making your device vulnerable to virus attack and malware.
Chromium Project
There are other ways to find older versions of Chrome. One of them is the Chromium ProjectThis is a project that uses open source software to run alternative versions of Chrome.
If you search the site, you may find older versions, from before Flash Player was disabled, that may run Flash SWF files without problems.
Slimjet
An application similar to Project Chromium is called slimjet. You can also download older versions of Chrome using the Slimjet project and then run the SWF files in Chrome, since you will be using an older version that supports Flash.
How to easily open swf files on Mac
Just as to easily open swf files in Chrome we need to find older versions of the browser in which we can open this type of files, to easily open swf files in MAC we will need other programs.
It is not a big deal to open a SWF media file on a Mac. However, there are tips on how to play SWF files on Mac, which you can also benefit from. You just need the right player to view play this type of extension on your MAC device, which should be a third-party software. Here are some converters and players for Mac that will help you open swf files easily:
Elmedia Player
Elmedia Player It is a versatile program that can help you easily open SWF files on Mac without stress and is relatively easy to operate. It offers plenty of options and controls. While it works for SWF media files downloaded on your phone, it also allows you to browse and check online videos.
It has a built-in application of Web navigator, that allows you Browse and view SWF media online without leaving the app. It is completely free and the player allows you to set the preferred and default video quality to preview your SWF files and manage settings.
SWF Movie Player
This is another free software, specifically customized for Mac OS, which makes it easy to open swf files on MAC. The display program provides basic options like fast forward, rewind, frame previews, etc.
You can create and manage playlists in the software, zoom in and out videos, and set a default playback quality. The software allows its users to take subtitles during the videos.
Jihosoft SWF Converter
Jihosoft SWF Converter is a program that can Convert SWF files to popular video playback formats as FLV, MP3, MP4, AVI, MWV, 3GP, MOV, etc. This is a good option if you are unable to open swf files easily.
Once you launch the program on your Mac, you can import the SWF files and then convert and export them in the output format of your choice. Within a few minutes, depending on the size of the video, you can enjoy the video in a new format.
This software can detect SWF videos online via a URL and you can download them for conversion. It also provides video editing and other advanced professional features.
Other alternative software to easily open swf files
Now that Adobe no longer supports Flash Player, one of the ways you can easily open swf files in multiple OS is using Flash emulatorsBelow we tell you about some of the best:
Ruffle
Ruffle is a promising new Flash emulator with a very active team of developers. It is built with Rust, a programming language. programming modern and high performance that is support Windows, Mac, Linux and the web which makes it a good alternative to easily open swf files.
The best part is that Ruffle is completely open sourceHowever, it is still in the early stages of development, so ActionScript 3 (the most recent version of the Flash programming language) is not yet supported.
To try out Ruffle, go to the Ruffle web demo and click “Browse…” to upload a SWF file from your computer. If all goes well, the SWF will play just like it did in Flash Player. If you like what you see, you can install the desktop app to use Ruffle offline, or install the browser extension to use Ruffle on all Flash websites you visit.
lights park
lights park is another free Flash emulator, open source and actively developed. Its code is written in C++, an older programming language. For this reason, there is no web demo or browser extension; you will have to download the desktop application.
Lightspark excels where Ruffle falls short: Supports some of the newer Flash files that use ActionScript 3However, ActionScript 3 is much more complicated than previous versions of the language, so don't expect every SWF to work. However, if you have a SWF that doesn't work in Ruffle, Lightspark is definitely worth a try.
WAFlash
WAFlash is a Flash emulator that has a Excellent compatibility with all three versions of ActionScript, a very impressive feat. It is written in C++ by Korean developer Jinsoo Park, and is compiled for the web using Emscripten. That means that you can try it in your browser right now; just head over to the demo page and drag a SWF file from your computer onto the page to play it.
Unfortunately, this good news comes with a catch. WAFlash may be the most compatible Flash emulator to easily open swf files, but No offline download or browser extension availableWorse yet, the project is not open source and the developer says he may take the commercial route in the future.
AwayFL
AwayFL is another way to easily open swf files. This is an open source Flash emulator created by the non-profit organization Away FoundationIn particular, they have worked with Poki to create official emulated versions of classic Nitrome Flash games.
It is said that the emulator works very well for a small segment of early ActionScript 3 games, but in some tests, it proves disappointing for general use. You can try the emulator on an unofficial demo page. If you have questions about the emulator, you can contact the Away Foundation or join their semi-official Discord server.
swf2js
swf2js is a pure JavaScript Flash emulator developed by a Japanese team led by Toshiyuki Ienaga. The emulator has a free edition and a paid edition, but You can try both editions for free in the “live preview” area of the site. You will only have to pay a fee if you want to use the production version of swf2js on your own website.
If you have an older SWF that you want to play, go to the free demo and click “Browse” at the top of the page to upload the SWF. Then click “Upload” and wait a moment for the SWF to load. If you have a newer SWF that uses ActionScript 3, try the production demo.
Final words
Although the cancellation of Adobe Flash Player was something that was expected for a long time, it is now a reality. This has meant that many users are faced with the problem of having files with a .SWF extension that they cannot play. For this reason, it is necessary to know how to easily open swf files on different OS and browsers.
Depending on what you want to do with your SWF files, you will surely find a solution among those we have presented, either to convert them or to play them. Read carefully the specifications of each of the options we present to you so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.