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Flat / FLV and F4V hosting

FLV hosting: share legacy FLV and F4V video files

Upload FLV and F4V exports from your browser or the CLI. Share the original files for a compatible desktop player or conversion tool.

Checking your upload limits... · Public · Limits

Drop your FLV and F4V files here

or choose them from your device.

Select FLV and F4V files

What people see at your FLV and F4V link

Original-file hosting. No built-in video player for this container.

Flat displays a download view for FLV and F4V. It does not run Flash or recreate an old Flash video player.

FLV and F4V are related delivery formats from the Flash ecosystem but have different container structures. The original file stays unchanged.

Public links open without a Flat account. Several files open in the explorer, where readers can choose a file. Original downloads remain available.

The exact path /motion.flv serves the original file. Opening that URL does not convert its container or codecs.

Flat's FLV download view displaying file information and original-file actions.
motion.flv in Flat's file download viewView full-size screenshot

How to upload FLV and F4V files and get a link

  1. Prepare your files

    Check that the file is a video export rather than an SWF application or a streaming manifest. Test it in a compatible media tool before handing it off.

    For a modern website, export a separate browser-compatible viewing file. Do not rename FLV to MP4 and assume the internal packaging has changed.

  2. Publish from your browser or terminal

    In your browser

    Drop, publish, copy the link.

    Select your finished files in the uploader above. Enter your email if signed out, then choose "Publish videos".

    Selected files need unique names and publish at the top level. The browser uploader does not accept folders or extract ZIPs. Use the CLI when relative paths matter.

    Go to uploader
    TerminalNode.js 20+

    One command. Files or folders.

    npx -y @getflat/cli deploy ./motion.flv

    Replace the example path with your file, or pass a folder path to preserve its structure. The CLI prints the published URL.

  3. Check the published result

    Download the FLV or F4V and check it in the recipient's tool. If you add a modern viewing copy, check its picture and sound against the original.

    Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. Sign in before expiry to keep them online, or sign in before publishing for no default expiry.

When to use FLV and F4V hosting

Legacy website migrations

Transfer the original video assets from an older site so a developer can prepare new delivery versions.

Existing recording handoffs

Share a file produced by a legacy recorder or exporter. Keep playback and conversion in a tool that supports that format.

Keep a version, or keep an address.

Share this version

Every upload gets its own link. Publishing revised files creates a new link and leaves the earlier version unchanged. Use the version link when someone needs to review a specific upload.

Update files at one address

Use a named onflat.page address or your own domain. Sign in, then publish with the CLI using --domain. Publish revised files with the same domain to point that address to the new upload.

Named addresses are included on Free. Adding your own domain requires a paid plan. The browser uploader does not set up or repoint these addresses.

Update files at the same address Set up a named address or custom domain

FLV and F4V hosting questions

Is hosting free, and what are the limits?

Yes. Signed-in Free includes 5 MiB per upload, 1 GiB of storage, and 5 GiB of monthly transfer, with no default expiry. The per-upload limit covers all files in that upload. Paid plans raise these limits.

Compare hosting plans and limits

Do readers need a Flat account?

No. Public links open without a Flat account. Anyone with the link can open the uploaded files. Password-protected links also require the visitor password.

Can I password-protect my upload?

Yes. Password protection is available on every plan. Add --password YOUR_PASSWORD to your CLI deploy command. It protects access to the upload and its files, but does not prevent someone with access from saving a copy. The browser uploader creates public uploads.

Set a visitor password

Can I replace files without changing the link?

A version link always refers to its original upload. For same-address updates, use a named address or your own domain. Publish revised files with the same --domain value in the CLI to point that address to the new upload.

What happens when an upload expires?

Flat stops serving it. An expired upload cannot be recovered. Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. For browser uploads, use the sign-in link shown after publishing. For CLI uploads, run npx -y @getflat/cli login. Complete sign-in before expiry to keep the upload online. If you chose a shorter expiry in the CLI, that deadline stays in place.

Will uploading FLV restore an old Flash website?

No. Flat hosts the file; it does not provide the Flash runtime or rebuild the original application.

Does an FLV upload provide RTMP streaming?

No. RTMP is a streaming protocol. Hosting a finished FLV does not create a live ingest or relay service.

How large can a video upload be?

Upload allowances depend on your plan and cover all files in the upload. Compare current plan limits. A larger upload allowance does not add codecs, container support, or transcoding. Original files remain downloadable when a preview is unavailable.

Can I embed this file on my website?

You can link to the original download. An HTML video element does not add a decoder for this container. Export a browser-compatible viewing copy with your own tool if you need embedded playback. Flat does not convert the original.

Another video format?

Find the guide for your video file.

Share your FLV and F4V files.

Upload your finished files, check the published result, and copy the URL.

Publish videos

Free to start · View pricing

Compare video containers and playback support