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Java 8 Install on macOS

Emma Brown
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#java #programming
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Java 8 install on macOS Mavericks? `java_home` refuses to cooperate. System Preferences shows 1.8, but IntelliJ sees only 1.6. Help a confused developer!

Java 8 installed to `/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_05.jdk`, not `/System/Library/Java/`. `/usr/libexec/java_home` doesn't detect it. System Preferences shows Java 8, but IntelliJ (13 CE on macOS Mavericks) still uses Java 6. Why, and how do I fix this?

Solution in a Nutshell

Installing Java 8 on macOS for Java/Spring Boot development is straightforward. While Oracle no longer provides public updates, Adoptium Temurin (a community-supported build) offers a reliable alternative.

1. Download: Visit the Adoptium Temurin website (https://adoptium.net/) and download the appropriate .dmg installer for Java 8 (or a later LTS release if your project allows).

2. Installation: Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and follow the on-screen instructions. This typically involves dragging the Java icon into the Applications folder.

3. Verification: Open your terminal and run:

java -version

This should display Java 8 version information. If not, ensure the Java installation directory is in your PATH environment variable. You might need to add it manually (instructions vary by shell; search online for "add Java to PATH macOS").

4. (Optional) Setting JAVA_HOME: For Spring Boot projects, setting JAVA_HOME is recommended for build consistency. In your shell's configuration file (e.g., ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc), add:

export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8)
export PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin

Replace 1.8 with the actual Java version if necessary. Then source your configuration file (e.g., source ~/.bash_profile).

Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, check your system's Java installations using /usr/libexec/java_home -V. Uninstall any conflicting Java versions before proceeding. Remember to restart your terminal after making environment variable changes. Using a JDK (Java Development Kit) is crucial, not just a JRE (Java Runtime Environment).