HomeSince the first generation of iPhone, Apple has blocked the ability to view flash videos through its web browser. That has also carried over to the iPad. It’s well known jailbreaking an iOS device will allow you to run flash, but many iPad owners are unsure of the jailbreaking process and don’t want to risk the stability of their tablets just to run Flash. After all, jailbreaking is not sanctioned by Apple and can be considered as "hacking".
Fortunately, there are lots of tools that make it possible to watch Flash videos on your iPad without jailbreaking. Check the list below to get a flash browser tool, which will definitely enable you to view Flash videos and websites on your iPad and new iPad 3.
No jailbreak: Apps and software circumventing Apple’s Flash contents browsing restrictions
iOS Flash Video – Free
iOS Flash Video is slightly different from the other items on this list in that it’s a bookmarklet you can add to your iPad’s browser rather than a stand-alone app. Consequently, the set-up process is slightly more complex than simply downloading an app. To use the bookmarklet, you have to download OPlayer or OPlayer Lite from the app store. Then, save the iOS Flash Video page as a bookmark, edit the code slightly, and you’re ready to start watching Flash videos. This bookmarklet only supports certain video sites, however several big names make the list, including Facebook, Dailymotion, Vimeo, MegaVideo and Blip.tv.
Cloud Browse – $2.99
Cloud Browse provides a full Firefox browsing session on your iPad, and supports both Flash and Java content. The app works by hosting a desktop Firefox session through your device, overcoming Apple’s Flash restrictions and providing a fast browsing experience in the process. The basic version of Cloud Browse costs $2.99, and this provides you with 10 minutes of secure, anonymous browsing per session. For unlimited secured browsing, and to get rid of the adverts, you need to pay a monthly subscription, which starts at the equivalent of just over $4 per month.
Skyfire – $2.99
Like iSwifter, Skyfire acts as a replacement for alternative iPad browsers. Specifically designed for users to watch Flash videos, Skyfire also contains a Video Recommendation Engine, which suggests other videos you might enjoy. The app only caters for Flash videos, so doesn’t support Flash games or applications, however if you’re looking for an app primarily to watch video clips, Skyfire is a popular choice.
Photon Flash Browser – $4.99
At $4.99, Photon Flash Browser is one of the pricer apps on the list, however it has a range of features that will make the $5 worthwhile to many Flash lovers. As well as supporting Flash videos, and use Flash games and apps, Photon Flash Browser allows you to multi-task using multiple tabs, turn on private browsing, share content through Facebook, print using AirPrint, and save your favorite pages as bookmarks.
iSwifter – Free ($4.99 after 7 days)
iSwifter allows you to unlock Flash content on your iPad, leaving you free to watch Flash videos, browser Flash websites and use interactive Flash applications, including games. You can use the app in place of or in addition to the iPad’s Safari app, and it’s free to download and try iSwifter for the first seven days, after which you need to make a $4.99 in-app purchase to carry on using it.
Additional Information:
Pavtube Studio unveiled a column called iPad Video Specials to help beginners enjoy movies and TV shows on iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad 3. This column explains how to use iPad to watch movies online, how to transfer local movies to iPad for watching, how to encode MKV/AVI/WMV to iPad compatible video, how to turn DVD and Blu-ray into iPad movies, as well as how to access iPad 3 Video Mirroring and Streaming
Free Trial Video Converter
Useful Tips
- Rip & Copy DVD movies to iPad Mini for playback
- DVD ISO to iPad 3 ripping – best video format for the new iPad 3
- 10 best iPad 2 games
- 10 best iPad 3 Games/Top 10 games for the new iPad
- Watch 720p DVD Video on the new iPad 3 - DVD to the new iPad 3 on Mac
- Copy Blu-ray to iPad/ Galaxy Tab for traveling time
