File Extension Database

Open FLV File

File extension FLV is most commonly associated with Flash compatible video files, which are often used to display streaming media on sites such as YouTube. Though the format refers to Adobe, formerly Macromedia - Flash, the FLV container is an open format and so videos can be exported by other multimedia applications using Adobe's FLV codec. Typically you can open FLV file using a video player application. VLC Player is a good example of a video player

FLV files were originally developed and supported by Macromedia, though details of the format are available for other developers to use, hence its widespread use on video streaming websites. FLV files contain video and audio streams as well as metadata. This is used to store properties of the file, such as its intended dimensions, frame rate, duration and data rates, which are often used by applications to ensure the video is displayed correctly. FLV files can also be used to embed video within Shockwave Flash (SWF) files with the use of Adobe's ActionScript language.

Multiple video codecs are supported for use with FLV files, including Sorenson, On2 TrueMotion VP6 and, most recently, MPEG-4 Part 10, otherwise known as H.264. FLV files also support several audio formats, including File extension MP3, File extension AAC, PCM and Nellymoser ASAO.

A number of applications can be used to open FLV files, including Adobe Flash Player, a freely available FLV video player, MPlayer, VLC Media Player and Quicktime. Other applications such as Windows Media Player can also be used if the ffdshow codec is installed. FLV files can also be opened by web browsers which have the Adobe Flash plug-in installed. It should be noted that Adobe has created four new more specific file formats designed to overcome problems with the existing FLV format when streaming MPEG-4 media. These are File extension F4V (Adobe Flash Player Video), File extension F4P (Protected Adobe Flash Player Media), File extension F4A (Adobe Flash Player Audio) and File extension F4B (Adobe Flash Player Audio Book).

Typical FLV application file locations:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe Media Player\Adobe Media Player.exe" "%1"

Typical FLV mime types:

video/x-flv

Frequently used application names to open FLV files:

Adobe Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

com.adobe.flv

How Can I Open FLV File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open FLV file is to find a FLV file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a FLV file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open FLV file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as FLV file opener then try to search online for "FLV viewer", "application to open FLV file" or "open FLV file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open FLV file

How Can I Open FLV File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a FLV file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a FLV file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with FLV file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as FLV file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open FLV file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open FLV file then try to search for "FLV viewer", "application to open FLV file" or "read FLV file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read FLV file

How Can I Open FLV File on Android

If you downloaded a FLV file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded FLV file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "FLV".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "FLV viewer", "FLV file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open FLV File on iPhone or iPad

To open FLV File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the FLV file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "FLV". This way you can find apps which can open FLV files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "FLV viewer" or "FLV file" online in your favorite search engine.