Download Java jdk for Mac catalina

• Click to view our Accessibility Policy
• Skip to content

• Java
• Technical Details

Using Java SE on macOS Catalina

With macOS 10.15, Apple introduced new application security checks, which are used by Gatekeeper to verify the contents of distributed software. When you install or run software for the first time, Gatekeeper verifies that the software has been notarized. See Notarizing Your App Before Distribution.

JDK 14 is the first release that complies with the new macOS 10.15 hardening and notarization requirements. If you want to install and test earlier versions of the JDK or JRE on macOS 10.15, this document explains some expect warnings and how to proceed.

As of the time when this article was written you can still install and run non-notarized software on macOS 10.15 systems by modifying your security preferences. The following steps show you how to install a non-notarized JDK or JRE.

Note: These steps use the JDK 8u231 macOS installer as an example. These steps apply equally to all other JDK and JRE releases.

Installing the JDK Using a .dmg File

1. Double-click on the .dmg file to begin the installation. The system verifies the .dmg file, then opens a Finder window with the icon of an open box (package) and the name of the .pkg file.
2. Double-click the package icon to start the installation app. A window appears with a status bar with text similar to the following:

Verifying "JDK 8 Update 231.pkg"...

Then, a window appears with text similar to the following:

"JDK 8 Update 231.pkg" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.

This software needs to be updated. Contact the developer for more information.

Click OK.

3. Open System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click the General tab. In the section Allow apps downloaded from:, the following text appears:

"JDK 8 Update 231.pkg" was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer.

Click the Open Anyway button.

4. A window appears with text similar to the following:

"JDK 8 Update 231.pkg" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.

This software needs to be updated. Contact the developer for more information.

Click the Open button.

5. A window appears with the following text:

Installer is trying to install new software. Enter your password to allow this.

Enter your user name and password, then click the Install Software button.

Installing the JDK from a File Archive

You don't have to modify your security preferences if you install the JDK from a .tar.gz file archive, in particular, a prebuilt OpenJDK package. However, the system may warn you the first time you run a Java command-line tool.

Running a Java Command-Line Tool for the First Time

When you run a command-line tool for the first time (such as java), depending on which app (such as Safari or Firefox) you used to download the installer, a window may appear with text similar to the following:

"jdk1.8.0_231.jdk" is an app created by Safari. Are you sure you want to open it?

Click the Open button.

Depending on the folder in which you installed the JDK or JRE, another window may also appear with text similar to the following:

"java" would like to access files in your Downloads folder.

Click the OK button.

Why Oracle

• Analyst Reports
• Best cloud-based ERP
• Cloud Economics
• Corporate Responsibility
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Security Practices

Learn

• What is cloud computing?
• What is CRM?
• What is Docker?
• What is Kubernetes?
• What is Python?
• What is SaaS?

What’s New

• News
• Oracle CloudWorld
• Oracle Supports Ukraine
• Oracle Red Bull Racing
• Oracle Sustainability
• Employee Experience Platform

• © 2022 Oracle
• Privacy/Do Not Sell My Info
• Ad Choices
• Careers

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

System Requirements for Installing the JDK on macOS

The following are the system requirements for installing the JDK on macOS:

• Any Intel-based computer running macOS.

• Administrator privileges.

  You cannot install Java for a single user. Installing the JDK on macOS is performed on a systemwide basis for all users. Administrator privileges are required to install the JDK on macOS.

Determining the Default JDK Version on macOS

When starting a Java application through the command line, the system uses the default JDK.

There can be multiple JDKs installed on the macOS system.

You can determine which version of the JDK is the default by entering java -version in a Terminal window. If the installed version is 11 Interim 0, Update 0, and Patch 0, then you see a string that includes the text 11. For example:

$  java -version
java version "11"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 11)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.2-b04, mixed mode)

To run a different version of Java, either specify the full path, or use the java_home tool. For example:

$ /usr/libexec/java_home -v 11 --exec javac -version

Installing the JDK on macOS

To install the JDK on macOS:

1. Download the JDK .dmg file, jdk-11.interim.update.patch-macosx-x64.dmg.

   Before the file can be downloaded, you must accept the license agreement.

2. From either the browser Downloads window or from the file browser, double-click the .dmg file to start it.

   A Finder window appears that contains an icon of an open box and the name of the .pkg file.

3. Double-click the JDK 11.pkg icon to start the installation application.

   The installation application displays the Introduction window.

4. Click Continue.

   The Installation Type window appears.

5. Click Install.

   A window appears that displays the message: Installer is trying to install new software. Enter your password to allow this.

6. Enter the Administrator user name and password and click Install Software.

   The software is installed and a confirmation window is displayed.

After the software is installed, you can delete the .dmg file if you want to save disk space.

Uninstalling the JDK on macOS

To uninstall the JDK on macOS:

You must have Administrator privileges.

Note:

Do not attempt to uninstall Java by removing the Java tools from /usr/bin. This directory is part of the system software and any changes will be reset by Apple the next time that you perform an update of the OS.

1. Go to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines.
2. Remove the directory whose name matches the following format by executing the rm command as a root user or by using the sudo tool:

   /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-interim.update.patch.jdk

   For example, to uninstall 11 Interim 0 Update 0 Patch 0:

   $ rm -rf jdk-11.jdk

Installation FAQ on macOS Platform

This topic provides answers for the following frequently asked questions about installing JDK on macOS computers.

1. How do I find out which version of Java is the system default?

When you run a Java application from the command line, it uses the default JDK. If you do not develop Java applications, then you do not need to worry about this. See Determining the Default JDK Version on macOS.

3. After installing Java for macOS 2012-006, can I continue to use Apple's Java 6 alongside the macOS JDK for Java 11?

If you want to continue to develop with Java 6 using command-line, then you can modify the startup script for your favorite command environment. For bash, use this:

$ export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 11`

Some applications use /usr/bin/java to call Java. After installing Java for macOS 2012-006, /usr/bin/java will find the newest JDK installed, and will use that for all of the Java-related command-line tools in /usr/bin. You may need to modify those applications to find Java 6, or contact the developer for a newer version of the application.

4. Can I restore Apple Java after uninstalling Oracle Java?

Go back to Apple Java using the following instructions:

1. Uninstall Oracle Java by deleting the plug-in file. From a command-line, enter:

   $ sudo rm -rf "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin"

2. Create a symlink using the following command, entered on a single line:

   $ sudo ln -s /System/Library/Java/Support/CoreDeploy.bundle/Contents/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin"

5. What happened to the Java Preferences app in Application Utilities?

The Java Preferences app was part of the Apple Java installation and is not used by Oracle Java. Therefore, macOS releases from Apple that do not include Apple Java will not include Java Preferences.

Does macOS Catalina have Java?

How do I download Java for Catalina on Mac?

Is JDK available for Mac?

How do I update Java on Catalina?