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.flv

Use caution

Flash Video

The video format built for Adobe Flash. Ruled web video from early YouTube through the mid-2010s; legacy after Flash's end-of-life.

MIME types

  • video/x-flv

Category

video

What opens this file

  • VLC
  • mpv
  • FFmpeg (for conversion)

How to open by OS

Windows

  • VLC, mpv.

Mac

  • VLC, IINA.

Linux

  • VLC, mpv.

Ios

  • VLC.

Android

  • VLC, MX Player.

Safety notes

  • Flash Player ended in 2020. You no longer need Flash to play FLV. A .swf + .flv pairing from an old site may be an artifact of historical malvertising campaigns.

Common mistakes

  • Holding large FLV archives? Convert them to MP4 or WebM for long-term access — FLV playback quality will keep declining.
  • You cannot stream FLV directly through HLS/DASH. Remux into fMP4 segments for modern delivery.

Related extensions

References