Command For Different Java Version Macos

There are many ways to install Java in Mac OS. We might have multiple Java versions installed in Mac and we may need to switch versions. In this article we see ways to switch between different Java versions. First of all we can check all the available java versions installed in Mac using following command: $ /usr/libexec/javahome -V Matching Java.

Information and system requirements for installing and using Oracle Java on Mac OS X

This article applies to:
  • Platform(s): Mac OS X
  • Java version(s): 7.0, 8.0
Oracle's Java version 7u25 and below have been disabled by Apple on OS X. Updating to the latest release will allow Java to be run on Mac OS X.
» Download latest Java

» After I updated to Sierra, Yosemite or El Capitan, why am I told to install Java after I already installed the latest Java?
» Can I restore Apple Java 6 after uninstalling Oracle Java?
» What are the system requirements for Java on my Mac?
» Why can't I find Java 6 for Mac OS X on java.com?
» Can I use Chrome with Oracle Java on my Mac?
» How do I get Java for my Mac?
» How do I know if I have Java installed on my Mac?
» How do I install Java for my Mac?
» How do I find out what version of Java I have on my Mac?
» How do I enable Java on my Mac?
» How do I clear the Java cache on my Mac?
» How do I update Java on my Mac?
» How do I uninstall Java from my Mac?
» I do not have Mac version 10.7.3 (Lion) or higher. How do I get Java for other Mac versions?
» Is it safe to install previous or older versions of Java?
» Why will applets not run after getting Java through Apple Software Update?
» Why is Oracle Java available only for Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above?
» Can I install Java on Mac 10.10 (Yosemite)?
» The installation hangs during an auto-update, what can I do to get the latest Java?
» When I try to use Java from the command line, why doesn't it work?
» How do I get support or provide feedback on Java?
After I updated to macOS Sierra 10.12, El Capitan (OS X 10.11), or Yosemite (OS X 10.10), why am I told to install Java after I already installed the latest Java?

See information about Apple Java messages.

Can I restore Apple Java 6 after uninstalling Oracle Java?

Yes, see the instructions on the Apple website Restore Apple Java 6. If you have JDK 7 or later versions installed on your system and you want to restore Apple Java 6, then those JDK versions need to be uninstalled first. See the instructions to Uninstall JDK.

What are the system requirements for Java on my Mac?
Operating system requirements: For Java 7 and later versions, you will need an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X version 10.7.3 (Lion) and above. Installing Java on a Mac is performed on a system wide basis, for all users, and administrator privileges are required. Java can not be installed on a per-user basis.
Browser requirements:
A 64-bit browser (Safari, for example) is required to run Oracle Java on Mac.
Why can't I find Java 6 for Mac OS X on java.com?

Command For Different Java Version Macos Download

For Java versions 6 and below, Apple supplies their own version of Java. For Mac OS X 10.6 and below, use the Software Update feature (available on the Apple menu) to check that you have the most up-to-date version of Java 6 for your Mac. For issues related to Apple Java 6 on Mac, contact Apple Support. Oracle and Java.com only support Java 7 and later, and only on 64 bit systems.

Mac OS X and Apple Java 6 End of Life

Apple has posted notice that Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) will be the last OS X release that supports Java 6, and as such, recommends developers whose applications depend on Java 6 to migrate their apps to a newer Java version provided by Oracle. » More info (apple.com)

Can I use Chrome with Oracle Java on my Mac?

Chrome browser versions 42 and above. Starting with Chrome version 42, Chrome has disabled the standard way in which browsers support plugins. More info


How do I get Java for my Mac?

You can download Java from java.com.

How do I know if I have Java installed on my Mac?

Mac OS X 10.6 and below: Apple's Java comes pre-installed with your Mac OS.
Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) and above: Java is not pre-installed with Mac OS X versions 10.7 and above. To get the latest Java from Oracle, you will need Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above.
If you have Java 7 or later versions, you will see a Java icon under System Preferences.
Java versions 6 and below are listed in the Java Preferences.app located in the Applications > Utilities folder on your Mac.

How do I install Java for my Mac?

See Mac Java installation instructions.

How do I find out what version of Java I have on my Mac?

Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above: Under System Preferences click on the Java icon to access the Java Control Panel which will list your Java version.
If you do not see a Java icon under System Preferences, Java 7 or later versions is not installed.

How do I enable Java on my Mac?

When you install Oracle Java on your Mac (Lion and above), Java will be enabled by default.
If you are running a Java application in the browser, you will need to also check that Java is enabled in your browser.
For earlier versions of Java, check the Apple Support site.

How do I clear the Java cache on my Mac?

See How to clear the Java cache on Mac.

How do I update Java on my Mac?

See How to update Java on Mac.

How do I uninstall Java from my Mac?

See Mac Java uninstall instructions.

I do not have Mac version 10.7.3 (Lion) or higher. How do I get Java for other Mac versions?

For Java versions 6 and below, Apple supplies their own version of Java. Use the Software Update feature (available on the Apple menu) to check that you have the most up-to-date version of Apple's Java for your Mac.
Users of Lion Mac OS X 10.7.1 and 10.7.2 should upgrade to 10.7.3 or later versions, so you can get the latest Java version from Oracle.

Is it safe to install previous or older versions of Java?

Oracle highly discourages users from using older versions of Java. Installing old and supported versions of Java on your system presents a serious security risk. Upgrading to the latest version of Java ensures that Java applications will run with the most up-to-date security and performance improvements on your system. You can confirm that you have the latest version on the verification page. If installing an older version of Java is absolutely required, you must first uninstall the current version. See the instructions on the Mac uninstall Java FAQ.

Why will applets not run after getting Java through Apple Software Update?

Apple disables the Java plug-in and Webstart applications when the Java update is done using Software Update. Also, if the Java plug-in detects that no applets have been run for an extended period of time it will again disable the Java plug-in.

Command For Different Java Version Macos
Why is Oracle Java available only for Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above?

The Java Runtime depends on the availability of an Application programming interface (API). Some of the API were added in Mac OS X 10.7.3. Apple has no plans to make those API available on older versions of the Mac OS.

Can I install Java on Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)?

Yes. See Mac OS X 10.10 FAQ.

The installation hangs during an auto-update, what can I do to get the latest Java?

During an auto-update, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) users might see the installation stall. Download the latest Java from the java.com web site.

When I try to use java from the command line, why doesn't it work? I have Oracle's version of the JRE installed.

Installing a JRE from Oracle does not update java -version symlinks or add java to your path. For this functionality, you must install the full JDK. See Mac command line info.

How do I get support or provide feedback on Java?

Provide us details on Feedback form for reporting issues or providing feedback for Java.

You might also be interested in:

Command For Java Version In Mac

  • How do I install Java for my Mac?
  • How do I uninstall Java on my Mac?
  • Where is the Java Control Panel on Mac?
  • How do I clear Java cache on my Mac?
  • How do I Update Java for my Mac?
  • How do I disable Java in my web browser?

The Java JDK install on MacOS has some interesting platform specific utilities, like

which tells you which Java version you’re currently using and where it’s installed. I have Java 9 currently installed and it tells me:

Command For Different Java Version Macos Download

If you have multiple version installed, adding -V will list all the versions and where they’re installed:

Command For Different Java Version Macos Windows 7

The next logical question from here would be ‘how do I switch versions’? If you set your $PATH in a .profile or similar approach, you can eval java_home to add the current version to your path, but a neat trick discussed in one of the answers here (thanks to this SO user for this tip) uses the -v option to allow you to switch versions. Adding a couple of aliases to your .profile like this:

Java Version Cmd

… and you’ve got a quick shortcut to switching between different versions.