Last updated: April 21, 2022
A common reason why you see This plugin is not supported on Android is you have encountered content that requires Adobe Flash Player. The Google Play Store removed Flash Player in 2012 when Google released Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Although Flash is long gone from the Google Play Store, it is possible to view and play Flash content on your Android device. The manner in which to make that happen depends on the Android version installed on your device.
To identify the Android version installed on your device, tap Settings. Under System, tap About phone (or About tablet), and look for the Android version number. If needed, cross-reference the Android version number to its code name (e.g. Android 6.0 = Marshmallow). Because the relationship between Flash and Android changed with the release of Android 4.1, we’ll divide this information into two before-and-after sections.
Devices running Android 4.1 and greater
If you identified your device as running Android 4.1 or greater, you can install a web browser that supports Flash Player. Puffin Web Browser does that, but perhaps not as you would expect. According to its description in the Google Play Store, “Puffin Web Browser includes Adobe-Flash-Over-Cloud 24/7 now without additional in-app-purchase.”
As a cloud-based solution to viewing Flash content, Flash is not running locally on your device. Puffin lists some limitations and caveats about using their browser, such as geo-restrictions, so make sure to review the information.
Devices running Android 4.0 and earlier
If you identified your device as running Android 4.0 or below, it is time to blow the dust off your explorer hat for an adventure to the Adobe Flash Player archives. The process involves downloading and installing Adobe Flash Player onto your device, so you’ll need internet access. Once connected to the internet, navigate to Settings > Security > tap Unknown Sources > tap OK to confirm > close Settings.
Next, scroll down to the Flash Player for Android 4.0 archives section of Adobe’s Archived Flash Player versions page. If you are running Android 2.x or 3.x, there is a separate Flash Player for Android 2.x and 3.x archives section in the same page.
Tap the link that corresponds to your Android version to download the Flash Player installer. Close your web browser when the download completes. Locate the download in Notifications, tap install_flash_player.apk, then tap Install. When the install completes, tap Done.
Enable Flash Player by navigating to Settings > Advanced > Enable Plug-ins. Finally, navigate to Settings > Security > uncheck Unknown Sources.
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Image credit: Pixabay / krapalm
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