3 Simple Methods Install Adobe Flash Player Ubuntu

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Hey guys! Are you an Ubuntu user needing to run some Flash content? You've come to the right place! Adobe Flash Player, while a bit of a legacy technology now, is still required for some older websites and applications. While Adobe has stopped developing Flash for Linux, there are still ways to get it working on your Ubuntu system. This article will walk you through three simple methods to install and use Flash Player on Ubuntu, ensuring you can access that content without a hitch. Let's dive in!

Why Install Flash Player on Ubuntu?

Before we get into the how-to, let's quickly touch on why you might still need Flash Player in the first place. Despite its age and security concerns, Flash is still used on some websites, especially for older games, animations, and interactive content. If you regularly visit sites that haven't updated their content, you'll likely encounter the need for Flash. While HTML5 and other modern technologies have largely replaced Flash, there's still a transitional period, and having Flash Player installed can be a necessary evil for accessing certain content. Keep in mind that Flash is no longer actively developed for Linux, so these methods involve using older versions or workarounds to get it functioning. So, if you find yourself facing that familiar "Flash Player required" message, don't despair! This guide will help you get Flash up and running on your Ubuntu system.

Method 1: Using the Pepper Flash Plugin from Google Chrome

The first, and often easiest, method involves leveraging the Pepper Flash plugin that comes bundled with Google Chrome. Since Chrome includes its own version of Flash, we can extract this plugin and use it with other browsers like Firefox. This is a pretty slick workaround, and here’s how you do it:

  1. Install Google Chrome: If you don’t already have it, download and install Google Chrome from the official website. This is a crucial step because we need Chrome to get the Pepper Flash plugin. Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions for Ubuntu, which usually involves using the dpkg command or the software center.
  2. Locate the Pepper Flash Plugin: The plugin is typically located in /opt/google/chrome/PepperFlash. Navigate to this directory using your file manager or the terminal. You should see a file named libpepflashplayer.so. This is the golden ticket – the Pepper Flash plugin we need. This plugin is actively updated by Google as part of Chrome, so you’re getting a relatively recent version of Flash.
  3. Copy the Plugin: Copy libpepflashplayer.so to a location where your browser can access it. A common place is /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins. You'll need root privileges to do this, so use the sudo command in the terminal. For example: sudo cp /opt/google/chrome/PepperFlash/libpepflashplayer.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins.
  4. Create a Flash Configuration File: Create a configuration file that tells your browser where to find the plugin. For Firefox, create a file named flashplugin.ini in /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins. You'll need root privileges again. Use a text editor like Nano or Vim: sudo nano /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/flashplugin.ini. Add the following content to the file:
[PluginDirectory]
Path=/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins

[Plugin]
name=Shockwave Flash




Description=Shockwave Flash 32.0 r0
Path=/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libpepflashplayer.so
EnabledState=2
EnableAlways=1

Save the file and exit the text editor. This configuration file tells Firefox where to find the Pepper Flash plugin and provides some basic information about it. 5. Restart Your Browser: Close and reopen your browser. Type about:plugins in the address bar and press Enter. You should see Shockwave Flash listed among the plugins. If it's there, congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Pepper Flash. If not, double-check the file paths and configuration to ensure everything is in the right place.

Using the Pepper Flash plugin from Chrome is a great way to keep your Flash installation relatively up-to-date, as Chrome regularly updates its Flash component. This method works well for most Ubuntu users and is a good first approach.

Method 2: Installing Flash Player Using apt

Another method to install Flash Player on Ubuntu involves using the apt package manager. This method typically installs an older version of Flash but can still be effective for many Flash-based websites. This method involves enabling the Canonical Partners repository and installing the flashplugin-installer package. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Enable the Canonical Partners Repository: Ubuntu has several repositories, and the Canonical Partners repository contains some proprietary software, including the Flash Player installer. To enable it, open the Software & Updates application. You can find this by searching for "Software & Updates" in the Ubuntu Dash. Go to the "Other Software" tab and check the box next to "Canonical Partners." Close the window, and Ubuntu will prompt you to reload the software sources. Click "Reload" to update the package lists.
  2. Update Your Package Lists: Open a terminal and run the following command to update the package lists:
sudo apt update

This command ensures that your system has the latest information about available packages, including the Flash Player installer. 3. Install Flash Plugin Installer: Now, install the flashplugin-installer package using apt:

sudo apt install flashplugin-installer

This command downloads and installs the Flash Player installer. The installer will automatically download the Flash Player plugin from Adobe and configure it for your system. You might be prompted to accept the Adobe Flash Player license agreement during the installation process. Make sure to read and accept the agreement to proceed. 4. Restart Your Browser: After the installation is complete, restart your browser. Type about:plugins in the address bar and press Enter to check if Flash Player is installed. You should see "Shockwave Flash" listed among the plugins. If you don’t see it, try restarting your computer. Sometimes, a full system reboot is necessary for the changes to take effect.

Installing Flash using apt is a straightforward method, but keep in mind that this will likely install an older version of Flash. While it may work for many websites, you might encounter issues with sites that require a newer version. If that’s the case, the Pepper Flash method might be a better option. However, for general use, this method is quick and easy, making it a convenient choice for many users.

Method 3: Manual Installation of Flash Player

For those who prefer a hands-on approach or need a specific version of Flash Player, manual installation is the way to go. This method involves downloading the Flash Player plugin directly from Adobe and manually placing it in the appropriate directory. This gives you more control over the installation process but requires a bit more technical know-how. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Download Flash Player: Go to the Adobe Flash Player download page. Since Adobe no longer supports Flash for Linux, you'll need to look for the "NPAPI plugin" version, which is compatible with Firefox and other NPAPI-based browsers. You might need to search for an archived version of the Flash Player download page to find the NPAPI plugin. Download the .tar.gz archive.
  2. Extract the Archive: Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the archive. Use the tar command to extract the contents:
tar -xvf install_flash_player_npapi.tar.gz

Replace install_flash_player_npapi.tar.gz with the actual name of the downloaded file. This command extracts the files from the archive into the current directory. You should see a file named libflashplayer.so among the extracted files. This is the Flash Player plugin. 3. Copy the Plugin: Copy libflashplayer.so to the browser plugin directory. For Firefox, this is typically /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins. You'll need root privileges to do this:

sudo cp libflashplayer.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
  1. Create a Flash Configuration File (if needed): If you don't already have a flashplugin.ini file in /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, create one as described in Method 1. This file tells your browser where to find the plugin. Use a text editor like Nano:
sudo nano /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/flashplugin.ini

Add the following content to the file:

[PluginDirectory]
Path=/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins

[Plugin]
name=Shockwave Flash




Description=Shockwave Flash
Path=/usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libflashplayer.so
EnabledState=2
EnableAlways=1

Save the file and exit the text editor. 5. Restart Your Browser: Close and reopen your browser. Type about:plugins in the address bar and press Enter to check if Flash Player is installed. You should see "Shockwave Flash" listed among the plugins. If it’s not there, double-check the file paths and configuration to make sure everything is correct.

Manually installing Flash Player gives you the most control over the process. This method is useful if you need a specific version of Flash or if you’re having trouble with the other methods. However, it also requires more technical expertise and manual updates, as you'll need to repeat the process to update Flash Player in the future.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – three simple ways to install Adobe Flash Player on Ubuntu! Whether you choose to use the Pepper Flash plugin from Chrome, install via apt, or go the manual route, you should now be able to access Flash content on your Ubuntu system. Remember that Flash is an older technology, and security vulnerabilities are a concern, so it's generally a good idea to use it sparingly and keep your Flash installation up-to-date whenever possible. By following these methods, you can keep those older websites and applications running smoothly on your Ubuntu machine. Happy browsing, and enjoy that Flash content!