Richard Gilpin

Q: Flash and Safari

In the last couple of weeks I have been getting notices from some journalistic websites telling me that I need Flash in order to view their videos.   Here is a representative sample:

 

Screen Shot 2016-07-01 at 12.29.48 PM.png

 

For grins a few days ago I downloaded again the Flash Player installer.  Re-installation made no difference.

 

My computer has Adobe Flash Player 22.0 r0 and flashplayer.xpt.  I am in Safari Version 9.1.1 (11601.6.17).   I have not tried any other browsers.

 

As I said, this is a new problem.   Does anyone recognize the problem?

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Jul 1, 2016 10:46 AM

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Q: Flash and Safari

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Esquared,Apple recommended

    Esquared Esquared Jul 1, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Richard Gilpin
    Level 6 (8,518 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Richard Gilpin

    That's the BBC site, isn't it? You could try to uninstall Flash (https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html) and reinstall it.

     

    There's also a workaround. In Safari>Preferences>Advanced check the bottom most option (Developer menu). You'll get a new menu item, click on that, select User Agent and chose one of the iOS items (e.g. iPhone). Reload the BBC page, and voila your video works – without Flash. Just like that.

  • by jmi2,

    jmi2 jmi2 Jul 24, 2016 9:40 AM in response to Esquared
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Safari
    Jul 24, 2016 9:40 AM in response to Esquared

    that worked! first time i saw this workaround and i've been searching for at least a month. i choose the Safari 9.1.2 option instead of 'automatic'! thanks! i hate Flash but Facebook uses it for live streaming. all videos worked with no problem!!! thanks again...

     

    m/

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Jul 24, 2016 12:07 PM in response to jmi2
    Level 6 (8,518 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2016 12:07 PM in response to jmi2

    You're welcome. This trick works on quite a few sites that claim to need Flash for showing their video material. Why they insist on promoting Flash, I don't know. It's on its way out anyway.

  • by Richard Gilpin,

    Richard Gilpin Richard Gilpin Oct 18, 2016 11:45 AM in response to Esquared
    Level 2 (190 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 18, 2016 11:45 AM in response to Esquared

    Flash may (or may not) be on its way out, but, until it is gone, I would like to have a current edition of Flash or equivalent.  This constant business of manipulating the Developer menu is an annoyance.

     

    I wonder if anyone at Apple reads this forum.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 18, 2016 4:12 PM in response to Richard Gilpin
    Level 9 (74,160 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 18, 2016 4:12 PM in response to Richard Gilpin

    Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.

     

    Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner.

     

    Feedback


    Download and install Flash. Then go to Safari/Preferences/Security and check Allow Plug-ins. Click Plug-in Settings and make sure Flash is checked.