How to Open SWF Files

Easy ways to open SWF files

Last Updated: November 29, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to open an SWF file on your computer. SWF files are generally videos that are embedded in a website using Flash, though some SWF files are games. Since no current browsers or computers have built-in SWF players, you'll need to download a program to help open the SWF file.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

1
Go to http://www.swffileplayer.com/ in a web browser. This player will allow you to watch SWF videos, as well as play some SWF games.
2
Click Download Now. It's a green button on the left side of the page. Doing so takes you to the download page.

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3
Wait for the file to finish downloading. Your file should begin downloading after a few seconds, and it should complete within a few minutes.
- You can click the Click here link to force the file to download if it doesn't automatically do so.
4
Install SWF File Player. Use the following steps to open install SWF File Player:
- Double-click the "swffileplayer_setup.exe" file in your web browser or Downloads folder.
- Click Next.
- Click the radio option next to "I accept the agreement" and click Next.
- Click Browse
- Select an install location and click Ok.
- Click Next.
- Click Browse to select a Start Menu folder, or click Next to continue.
- Check or uncheck "Create desktop icon" and click Next.
- Click Install.
- Click Finish
5
Open SWF File Player. It has a grey icon that says "SWF". Click the icon in your Windows Start menu or the desktop icon to open SWF File Player.
6
Click File. It's in the top-left corner of the SWF File Player window. A drop-down menu will appear.
7
Click Open…. You'll find this at the top of the File drop-down menu. Clicking this prompts a File Explorer window to open.
8
Select a file location. Click the folder in which your SWF file is stored. You'll most likely find the folder that you need on the left side of the File Explorer window.
9
Select your SWF file. Click the file that you want to open.
10
Click Open. It's in the bottom-right corner of the File Explorer window.
11
Click Play. You'll see this at the bottom of the window below the list of the SWF's attributes. Doing so will prompt the SWF file to begin playing; if it's a game, you'll be able to play it as though it were embedded in a webpage.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

1
Download and install Elmedia Video Player. Elmedia Video Player is available for free from the Apple App Store. Use the following steps to download and install Elmedia Video Player:
- Open the App Store.
- Type "Elmedia" in the search bar in the upper-right corner.
- Click GET below "Elmedia Video Player".
- Click Install app below "Elmedia Video Player".
- Enter your Apple ID password and press "Enter".
2
Click Spotlight
. It's the icon that resembles a magnifying glass in the upper-right corner.
3
Type in elmedia player. This displays a list of apps on your Mac that match your search.
4
Click Elmedia Video Player.app. This opens Elmedia Video Player.
5
Click Continue in free mode. This allows you to continue using the free version of Elmedia Video Player.
6
Click File. It's in the menu bar at the top.
7
Click Open…. This option is near the top of the File drop-down menu. Doing so opens a Finder window.
8
Select your SWF file. Click the SWF's folder on the left side of the Finder window, then click the SWF file.
9
Click Open. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so will open your SWF file inside of Elmedia Player; if the SWF file is a video file, it will begin playing automatically.
- Not all SWF files can be played in Elmedia Video Player. If the file doesn't open, you probably won't be able to play it on Mac.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I open SWF files with my Windows phone?

Community Answer

Yes, if you have an SWF player or Puffin Browser on your phone, then you can run these files.
Question

When I put the file into my browser, it downloads a copy of the file. How do I fix this?

Community Answer

Try downloading Flash and Shockwave players for your browser first. You should get them directly from Adobe's official website and not anywhere else. They are free downloads.
Question

How could I do this on Chrome?

Community Answer

Drag the SWF file to Chrome, or right-click on the SWF file and select Open With > Chrome.

Warnings

Mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets don't typically support Flash, meaning that they can't play SWF files with the same reliability as a computer can.

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