Java software for your computer, or the Java Runtime Environment, is also referred to as the Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, Java plug-in, Java plugin, Java add-on or Java download.

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

• Platform(s): Mac OS X
• Java version(s): 7.0, 8.0

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.

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)

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.

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.

Jvm 1.7 Mac Download

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:

• 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?

See JDK 7 and JRE 7 Installation Guide for general information about installing JDK 7 and JRE 7.

See the Mac OS X Platform Install FAQ for general information about installing JDK 7 on Mac OS X.

Contents

System Requirements

• Any Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later.
• Administrator privileges.

Note that installing the JDK on a Mac is performed on a system wide basis, for all users, and administrator privileges are required. You cannot install Java for a single user.

Installing the JDK also installs the JRE. The one exception is that the system will not replace the current JRE with a lower version. To install a lower version of the JRE, first uninstall the current version.

JDK 7 Installation Instructions

Installation of the 64-bit JDK on Mac Platforms

When you download the Java Development Kit (JDK), the associated Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is installed at the same time. The JavaFX SDK and Runtime are also installed and integrated into the standard JDK directory structure.

Depending on your processor, the downloaded file has one of the following names:

• jdk-7u<version>-macosx-amd64.dmg
• jdk-7u<version>-macosx-x64.dmg

Where <version> is 6 or later.

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

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

3. A Finder window appears containing an icon of an open box and the name of the .pkg file Double click the package icon to launch the Install app.

4. The Install app displays the Introduction window. Click Continue.

4a. Note that, in some cases, a Destination Select window appears. This is a bug, as there is only one option available. If you see this window, select Install for all users of this computer to enable the continue button. Click Continue.

5. The Installation Type window appears. Click Install.

6. A window appears which says 'Installer is trying to install new software. Type your password to allow this.' Enter the Administrator login and password and click Install Software.

7. The software is installed and a confirmation window appears. Click the ReadMe for more information about the installation.

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

Determining the Default Version of the JDK

A: If you have not yet installed Apple's Java Mac OS X 2012-006 update, then you are still using a version of Apple Java 6 that includes the plug-in and the Java Preferences app. See Note for Users of Macs that Include Apple Java 6 Plug-in.

There can be multiple JDKs installed on a system – as many as you wish.

When launching a Java application through the command line, the system uses the default JDK. It is possible for the version of the JRE to be different than the version of the JDK.

You can determine which version of the JDK is the default by typing java -version in a Terminal window. If the installed version is 7u6, you will see a string that includes the text 1.7.0_06. For example:

Java Download Mac

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

For more information, see the java_home(1) man page.

Uninstalling the JDK

To uninstall the JDK, you must have Administrator privileges and execute the remove command either as root or by using the sudo(8) tool.

Navigate to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines and remove the directory whose name matches the following format:^*

For example, to uninstall 7u6:

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 you perform an update of the OS.

^*The 7u4 and 7u5 releases were installed into a directory that does not follow this format. To uninstall 7u4 or 7u5, remove the 1.7.0.jdk directory from the same location.