One of the biggest frustrations iPhone users have always faced is the fact that Flash video does not work on Apple devices. The reasons for this are complicated and involve both technology and legal issues, but the end result for iPhone users is that by choosing an iPhone for all its positives, you have to accept fact that the numerous Flash videos and games on the Internet are not going to work on your phone. These days, though iPhones still do not officially support Flash, there are workarounds and compromises that make the situation less painful.
Several browsers now exist that will allow you to view Flash videos on an iPhone, and unlike in the past when the scary act of “jailbreaking” was necessary, these browsers work easily and completely legally without the need for hacking or risking your warranty. Below are the top Flash-capable apps available now.
Puffin
The free version of the Puffin Web Browser gives you Flash video capability for a limited time, after which you will have to upgrade to the paid version in order to continue to use it. The cost is $2.99. Puffin is simple, straightforward and fast. Both the free and paid versions have an average rating of 4.5 stars at the Apple App Store.
Skyfire
Skyfire was one of the first Flash-capable browsers for iPhone. It costs $2.99 and, unfortunately, has many issues. It can’t play all Flash videos, and some play with sound but no picture. User ratings are on the low side. Simply put, there are better options out there.
Photon
The Photon browser takes a different approach to playing Flash video. It connects to a remote computer that streams Flash to your phone. This gives it the ability to run Flash games as well as videos, but it’s not particularly fast. It’s higher priced than the others at $3.99. Like Puffin, it rates 4.5 stars at the App Store.
Cloud Browse
Cloud Browse is another browser that streams Flash from a remote computer, but the price is absurdly high at $4.99 plus a monthly subscription fee.
If you don’t want to pay for a Flash browser without being able to try it first, then the free Puffin is your best bet. If Flash games are something you’re interested in, Photon may be the best choice. All four apps are also available for iPad, but the price is higher for Skyfire and Photon than the iPhone versions.