How to install a specific JDK on Mac OS X?

user_169750 0
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I want to install a specific JDK (the latest for example). For this, I went to the JDK download homepage: http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. I looked for a Mac version, but I'm a bit surprised to only see downloadable versions for Linux, Windows and Solaris...

Here's the message for Mac:

"Apple Computer 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 Java for your Mac."

OK BUT... when I update Java with Mac I have a JRE and not a JDK...

I don't understand why a JDK version doesn't exist that is easily downloadable/installable (like a jar to unzip?) for Mac...

macos installation java
17 Answers

Since most answers are out of date, here's what works as of end of 2018 under the assumption that

  1. You want to install the GPL version of OpenJDK.[0]
  2. You do not want to install Homebrew

In that case, grab the desired version from one the many available, freely usable OpenJDK editions, e.g.:

Some of these include installers, but if not you can do the following. Assuming here version 11.0.1 for Mac. In your favorite shell, run:

tar -xzf openjdk-11.0.1_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz
sudo mv jdk-11.0.1.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines
# Fix owner and group
sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-11.0.1.jdk
# (Optional) Check if the new JDK can be found
/usr/libexec/java_home
=> /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-11.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home

[0] Note that the Oracle branded JDK has significant licensing restrictions allowing you its use basically only for testing, i.e., not for production. If you do not have a support agreement with Oracle, then it seems risky to me to use their JDK, especially since the differences to OpenJDK are minimal.

Edit: added more choices

user_7752430

In 2022, give a try to sdkman, is better than brew

curl -s "https://get.sdkman.io" | bash

then open a new shell and try list to see what you could install ;-)

sdk list java

At time of writing you could use:

sdk install java 17.0.1-tem
user_3368270
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