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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › java_mac.html
Installing and using Oracle Java on 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 APIs were added in Mac OS X 10.7.3.
Discussions

Cannot find java runtime on MacOS (M1 silicon) after installing openjdk - Stack Overflow
I have installed openjdk@11 and openjdk (21) on MacOS. Proof: when I typed brew install openjdk it says: Warning: openjdk 21 is already installed and up-to-date. To reinstall 21, run: brew reinstall openjdk · However when I run java --version or whatever commands it says it cannot find the runtime. More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
How to install Java on macOS Sonoma? - Apple Community
That's turned out to be incorrect ... site for OpenJDK, which will allow you to install a more recent JDK. ... Open System Settings. Enter Java in the search slot. Click on "Java" that it finds. The Java Control Panel then opens in a separate window. ... Odd that the Terminal tool requires a java runtime app to be installed, in order to run commands like 'apt update'. Why have this tool available if it's not fully functional? apt isn’t Unix, it is Linux. macOS is based on ... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
Could someone help me understand what this Java is for for my MacBook? Is it a necessary thing for a non tech guy?
Java runs computer software made using Java. Minecraft is a notable example, but there are many programs that require Java to work. If you remove it, and something stops working, it'll tell you it needs Java to run. "Native" macOS software does not require Java. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MacOS
71
122
June 30, 2022
Java Runtime for Apple Silicon
Yes. Search Java m1. I think azul does one as does adopt (these are based on openjdk) More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MacOS
12
8
September 3, 2022
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 106384
Download Java for OS X 2017-001 - Apple Support
Java for macOS 2017-001 installs the legacy Java 6 runtime for macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.12 Sierra, macOS 10.11 El Capitan, macOS 10.10 Yosemite, macOS 10.9 Mavericks, macOS 10.8 Mountain Lion, and macOS 10.7 Lion.
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › mac_controlpanel.html
Where is the Java Control Panel on my Mac?
Allows you to check for and get the latest available Java version and configure whether you want to automatically update. For more information visit How do I update Java for my Mac? Java Runtime Environment Settings: View and manage Java Runtime versions and setting for Java applications and ...
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Uakron
cs.uakron.edu › ~xiao › isp › JavaOnMacOS.html
Installing Java on MacOS
If you get a message that says: 'No Java runtime present requesting install', then you do not have Java installed on your system. Go to this link to download Java JDK. You can download the latest version if you wish · Download the .dmg file that says 'macOS Installer'
Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ, originally Macintosh Runtime for Java) was Apple's proprietary virtual machine for Java-based applications in the classic Mac OS (i.e. versions prior to Mac OS X). Both … Wikipedia
Factsheet
Developer Apple Inc.
Stable release MRJ 2.2.6
/ April 8, 2004
Operating system classic Mac OS
Factsheet
Developer Apple Inc.
Stable release MRJ 2.2.6
/ April 8, 2004
Operating system classic Mac OS
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Mac_OS_Runtime_for_Java
Mac OS Runtime for Java - Wikipedia
December 13, 2025 - Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ, originally Macintosh Runtime for Java) was Apple's proprietary virtual machine for Java-based applications in the classic Mac OS (i.e. versions prior to Mac OS X). Both a runtime environment and a software development kit (SDK) are available.
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Softonic
java-jre.en.softonic.com › home › mac › development & it › java runtime environment
Java Runtime Environment for Mac - Download
June 1, 2026 - Java Runtime Environment for Mac, free and safe download. Java Runtime Environment latest version: Runtime environment for Java. Java Runtime Environm
Rating: 6.5/10 ​ - ​ 73 votes
Find elsewhere
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Oracle
docs.oracle.com › javase › › 9 › install › installation-jdk-and-jre-macos.htm
8 Installation of the JDK and the JRE on macOS
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 9 Minor 1, Security 1, Patch 1, then you see a string that includes the text 9.1.1.1. For example: % java -version java version "9.1.1.1-ea" Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 9.1.1.1-ea+13) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.2-b04, mixed mode)
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › mac_install.html
How do I install Java for my Mac?
The screen shots and instructions below are for Java 8 Update 311 (8u311). If you are installing another version, make sure you change the version number appropriately. Example: For Java 8 Update 311 (8u311) the file to download is jre-8u311-macosx-x64.dmg
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freeCodeCamp
freecodecamp.org › news › how-to-install-java-on-mac
How to Install Java on Mac in 2026
February 20, 2026 - You'll get the correct native build whether you have an Apple Silicon or Intel Mac. For more details about the Homebrew installation process, including the alternative formula method and troubleshooting, see Brew Install Java, Cask Method. After installation, open a new Terminal window. Existing windows may not detect the new installation. ... $ java -version openjdk version "25.0.1" 2025-10-21 LTS OpenJDK Runtime Environment Temurin-25.0.1+8 (build 25.0.1+8-LTS) OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-25.0.1+8 (build 25.0.1+8-LTS, mixed mode)
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Filehorse
mac.filehorse.com › windows › browsers and plugins
Java Runtime Environment for Mac - Download (macOS)
April 22, 2026 - Download Java Runtime Environment for Mac - Safe and Secure from FileHorse. Java software allows you to run applications called.
Rating: 8.4/10 ​ - ​ 160 votes
Top answer
1 of 4
19

I also ran into this today.

After installing openjdk with brew install openjdk, I got this too:

java --version

The operation couldn’t be completed. Unable to locate a Java Runtime.
Please visit http://www.java.com for information on installing Java.

It seems there is already system-wide default java command/alias (I had no previous Java install), so let's show the details:

which java

/usr/bin/java

However reading the output of the brew install log one can see:

==> openjdk

For the system Java wrappers to find this JDK, symlink it with
  sudo ln -sfn /opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk/libexec/openjdk.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk.jdk

so, if you do not have another existing Java system-wide installation just run (and type your mac user password):

sudo ln -sfn /opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk/libexec/openjdk.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk.jdk

Password:

Now it works:

java --version

openjdk 21.0.2 2024-01-16
OpenJDK Runtime Environment Homebrew (build 21.0.2)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Homebrew (build 21.0.2, mixed mode, sharing)
2 of 4
1

Since you installed Java previously with homebrew, you can use the brew info command to see the details of your installation:

% brew info java

openjdk: stable 15.0.1 (bottled) [keg-only]
Development kit for the Java programming language
https://openjdk.java.net/
/usr/local/Cellar/openjdk/15.0.1 (614 files, 324.9MB)
  Poured from bottle on 2020-12-09 at 09:06:07
From: https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-core/blob/HEAD/Formula/openjdk.rb
License: Cannot Represent
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PhoenixNAP
phoenixnap.com › home › kb › devops and development › how to install java on mac
How to Install Java on Mac | phoenixNAP KB
May 8, 2025 - This article shows you how to install the Java Development Kit (JDK) and the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on macOS. ... A system running macOS 10.7.3 and above. Administrative access to the system. Multiple Java Development Kit builds are available for download and installation.
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MacPaw
macpaw.com › how to › optimization › apps
How to install Java on your Mac
August 19, 2025 - Click the macOS tab. You will see several download links. The two that are relevant are ARM64 DMG Installer and x64 DMG Installer. If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, you need the ARM64 DMG. If you have an Intel-based Mac, you need x64 DMG.
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › apple.jsp
Java for Mac
» Java 是什么 » 删除旧版本 » Mac 常见问题 » 安全性 » Support » 其他帮助 · 此下载用于帮助那些需要使用 Java 在台式机和笔记本电脑上运行应用程序的最终用户。Java 8 与操作系统集成在一起以运行单独安装的 Java ...
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Andrew Hoog
andrewhoog.com › posts › 3-ways-to-install-java-on-macos-2023
3 ways to install Java on macOS [2023] - Don't Panic
January 12, 2023 - So generally folks will go to java.com and be presented with the following website which by default is focused on installing a Java runtime for users, not the Java Development Kit developers need: So don’t click the green Download Java button! :-) Instead, click on the OpenJDK Early Access Builds which will then let you select which JDK you want to install.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255283838
How to install Java on macOS Sonoma? - Apple Community
At Java.com there is a link "If you are running on an M series system (ARM64), download the ARM64 version of the JRE ." Today that downloads Java 8 update 391. When I first tried installing Java runtime on my new MacBook Pro M3 Pro shipped December, 2023, now running Sonoma 14.2.1, it failed.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › could someone help me understand what this java is for for my macbook? is it a necessary thing for a non tech guy?
r/MacOS on Reddit: Could someone help me understand what this Java is for for my MacBook? Is it a necessary thing for a non tech guy?
June 30, 2022 - Most people wouldn’t. They’re developer acronyms. Jdk is Java Development kit, jre is Java runtime environment ... If you really need Java and you’re using M1, make sure to grab the Azul version (not Java.com). It’s actually optimized for M1.
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Snyk
snyk.io › blog › install-java-on-macos
How to install Java on macOS | Snyk
April 17, 2024 - The first step is to check if Java is already installed on your system. macOS comes with Java installed by default, but it might not be the version you need for your specific use case.