FLV File Extension

Flash Video Format

File Type flv
Developer Adobe Systems
Popularity
4.4 (35 votes)
Application Adobe Animate
Category Video Files, Web Files
Format Binary

What is a FLV file?

The FLV file extension is linked to Flash Video Format and belongs to the categories of Video Files and Web Files, which include 728 files.

The Flash Video Format (FLV) was developed by Adobe, which created file format and 81 programs to work with them.

FLV file support extends to various operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS and Windows, as well as mobile devices running Android. To play a FLV file, you can choose from 37 programs such as Adobe Flash Player, Zoom Player and Elmedia Player.

MIME types

video/x-flv

File Signature

HEX code: 46 4C 56 01. ASCII code: FLV.

Mac OS

Linux

Android

How to open a FLV file?

If you cannot open a FLV file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.

When it comes to opening and working with FLV files, Adobe Flash Player, Zoom Player and Elmedia Player are the top choices for users. If you want the most recent release of Adobe Animate, head over to the Adobe site and download the version designed to run on all platforms.

After completing the installation, FLV files should be recognized by the system and linked to Adobe Animate.

Make Adobe Animate the default FLV viewer

Changing Default Programs in Windows

Right click on your FLV file, then select "Open with" and click "Choose another application";
Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Adobe Animate as the application to associate with your FLV file;
Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired FLV file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
In the lower section of the window, you’ll find the "Enable" menu, with "Recommended Programs" pre-selected as the default option;
Select "All Programs" in this menu, and then search for Adobe Animate. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.

Finding answers to FLV file problems

While FLV files can sometimes present difficulties, most problems can be resolved quickly with minor software modifications. Check the tips below to help solve them.

What Causes Adobe Animate to Crash Frequently?

The likely cause of Adobe Animate crashing is lack of software updates. Install the latest updates available for Adobe products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

How can I restore a damaged FLV file?

Open the corrupted FLV file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item. Then wait for the recovery process to complete, which allows you to automatically repair corrupted video files.

How do I know if my FLV file is corrupted?

Common indications of damaged FLV video files are:

The file does not open or opens with errors;
Editing the archive in Adobe Animate results in slow or unresponsive behavior;
File hangs or crashes in Adobe Animate or other programs;
Unexplained increase in FLV file size;
Error messages appear while working with the file;

How to edit a FLV file?

To edit FLV files, it is essential to install software that supports not only viewing but also editing the video files. Online FLV editors provide limited functionality compared to full-featured software for Flash Video Format.

Best FLV editors in 2026

Taking the above factors into account, we have selected a list of FLV editors currently available.

FLV Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
AVS Video Editor	OMT	Windows	4.8 out of 5 (42 reviews)
Adobe Animate	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.7 out of 5 (44 reviews)
Adobe Flash	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.5 out of 5 (44 reviews)
Adobe Premiere Pro	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.5 out of 5 (42 reviews)

Convert to and from FLV

If working with a FLV file is challenging, one solution is to convert it to formats like AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, WAV or other supported formats.

Keep in mind that converting a FLV file may introduce some limitations, but the original format can often be restored.

Applications such as iSkysoft Video Converter, Hamster Free Video Converter and Freemake Video Converter offer offline conversion of FLV files to multiple formats, preserving quality.