I tested this answer using a clean install of High Sierra 10.13.6. All updates from Apple were installed.

The downloads of the JDKs can be found at Java Downloads. I could not correctly view this site using Safari under High Sierra. Instead, I installed and used Firefox ESR (Extend Support Release). This link for Firefox download can be successfull viewed from Safari. The file I downloaded and installed was Firefox 115.16.1esr.dmg.

I tried JDK 23 by downloading and installing jdk-23_macos-x64_bin.dmg. This was not recognized by Java. Next, I tried JDK 21 by downloading and installing jdk-21_macos-x64_bin.dmg. This was recognized by Java.

Instructions for uninstalling a JDK can be found here. Personally, I just used the Finder to move the /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-23.jdk folder to the Trash.

I tested by using the simple code given below. The code was stored in the file named Simple.java.

class Simple{  
    public static void main(String args[]){  
     System.out.println("Hello Java");  
    }  
}

Example of testing is given below.

dmas-Mac:Desktop dma$ javac Simple.java 
dmas-Mac:Desktop dma$ java Simple
Hello Java

BTW, I tested JDK 23 using macOS Monterey and did not encounter the problems that occurred with High Sierra.

Answer from David Anderson on Stack Exchange
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › java › download-and-install-jdk-on-windows-mac-and-linux
Download and Install JDK on Windows, Mac and Linux - GeeksforGeeks
April 4, 2026 - Go to the Official JDK website to download the file. ... Since JDK is an open-source, so you can get it from OpenJDK in a few clicks. ... As of 2025, the latest stable versions are JDK 23 (SE) and JDK 21 (LTS).
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Oracle
docs.oracle.com › javase › 8 › docs › technotes › guides › install › mac_jdk.html
JDK 8 Installation for macOS
April 21, 2026 - This page describes how to install and uninstall JDK 8 for macOS computers.
Top answer
1 of 3
1

I tested this answer using a clean install of High Sierra 10.13.6. All updates from Apple were installed.

The downloads of the JDKs can be found at Java Downloads. I could not correctly view this site using Safari under High Sierra. Instead, I installed and used Firefox ESR (Extend Support Release). This link for Firefox download can be successfull viewed from Safari. The file I downloaded and installed was Firefox 115.16.1esr.dmg.

I tried JDK 23 by downloading and installing jdk-23_macos-x64_bin.dmg. This was not recognized by Java. Next, I tried JDK 21 by downloading and installing jdk-21_macos-x64_bin.dmg. This was recognized by Java.

Instructions for uninstalling a JDK can be found here. Personally, I just used the Finder to move the /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-23.jdk folder to the Trash.

I tested by using the simple code given below. The code was stored in the file named Simple.java.

class Simple{  
    public static void main(String args[]){  
     System.out.println("Hello Java");  
    }  
}

Example of testing is given below.

dmas-Mac:Desktop dma$ javac Simple.java 
dmas-Mac:Desktop dma$ java Simple
Hello Java

BTW, I tested JDK 23 using macOS Monterey and did not encounter the problems that occurred with High Sierra.

2 of 3
0

I've successfully installed Java 21 from Microsoft on High Sierra.

$ java --version
openjdk 21.0.8 2025-07-15 LTS
OpenJDK Runtime Environment Microsoft-11933195 (build 21.0.8+9-LTS)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Microsoft-11933195 (build 21.0.8+9-LTS, mixed mode, sharing)

Java 25 has the some issue as mentioned above. It looks like the jdks have been build with a dependency to "chkstk_darwin" which ist not available in High Sierra.

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Oracle
java.com › en › download › manual.jsp
Download Java
This download is for end users who need Java for running applications on desktops or laptops. Java 8 integrates with your operating system to run separately installed Java applications.
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › installation guide › how-to-install-java-on-macos
How to Install Java on MacOS: A Step-by-Step JDK Installation - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - ... echo 'export JAVA_HOME=$(/... on macOS can be accomplished using two primary methods: through Homebrew or by downloading it directly from the Oracle website....
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SysTools
systoolsgroup.com › mac › how-to-install-jdk.html
How to Download & Install JDK & JRE on Mac OS?
And double-click on jdk-8u241-macosx-x64.dmg to launch it. ... A Finder window will appear, which containing an icon of an open box and with a name JDK 8 Update 241.pkg. ... Double-click on the package icon (JDK 8 Update 241.pkg), and follow the instructions to install it. The Introduction window appears, click on Continue. Note: In certain cases, the Destination Select window may appear. If it appears then select Install for all users of this computer to enable Continue button.
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › mac_install.html
How do I install Java for my Mac?
1. Download the jre-8u311-macosx-x64.dmg file. Review and agree to the terms of the license agreement before downloading the file. ... 4. Double-click on the .app icon to launch install Wizard. You might be prompted with message indicating app being downloaded from the Internet.
Find elsewhere
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Oracle
docs.oracle.com › en › java › javase › 21 › install › installation-jdk-macos.html
4 Installation of the JDK on macOS
July 15, 2025 - JDK is installed in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-<FEATURE>.jdk where <FEATURE> is the feature release number. For example, JDK 21.0.1 is installed in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-21.jdk. ... When starting a Java application through the command line, the system uses the default JDK.
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Mac Install Guide
mac.install.guide › java › download
Download Java for Mac · Mac Install Guide · 2026
How to download Java for Mac. Get a free Java JDK for macOS from a recommended vendor, no account needed. Clear Java download and installation steps.
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Treehouse
treehouse.github.io › installation-guides › mac › jdk-mac.html
Installing Java SE Development Kit on Mac
The installation process is very straight forward: Navigate to the Java SE Downloads page · Choose the JDK Download: Agree to terms and download the Mac OS X version · Open the dmg file and run the installation accepting all defaults · There are currently no reported issues.
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DePaul University
facweb.cs.depaul.edu › sjost › it212 › documents › java-download-mac.htm
Download Directions for Mac, Java 8 JDK
On the Oracle site, go to the Java ... SE Development Kit 8u201 section, download the file .dmg file for your operating system. For a Mac OS, 64-bit machine, download jdk-8u201-macosx-x64.dmg...
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Medium
tejaksha-k.medium.com › a-step-by-step-guide-to-installing-java-on-macos-5188bfdf99d7
A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Java on macOS | by Tejaksha K | Medium
July 29, 2024 - Step 2: Download Java Visit the official Oracle Java website · https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jdk16-downloads.html · To download the Java Development Kit (JDK) for macOS.
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › installation guide › download-and-install-java-development-kit-jdk-on-windows-mac-and-linux
Download and Instal JDK on Windows, Mac, and Linux - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - This article describes the step-by-step process for installing and configuring the JDK on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The JDK can be installed on the following Platforms: ... Go to the Official JDK website to download the file.
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Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies › downloads
Download the Latest Java LTS Free
Download the Java including the latest version 17 LTS on the Java SE Platform. These downloads can be used for any purpose, at no cost, under the Java SE binary code license.
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Oracle
java.com › en › download › apple.jsp
Java for Mac
如果您在 macOS Intel (x86_64) 上运行,请下载 x86_64 版本的 JRE.
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OpenJDK
openjdk.org
OpenJDK
JDK 8 Updates · JDK 9 · JDK (…, 26, 27, 28) JDK Updates · JMC · Jigsaw · Lanai · Leyden · Lilliput · Loom · Memory Model Update · Multi-Language VM · Nashorn · New I/O · OpenJFX · Panama · Port: AArch32 · Port: AArch64 · Port: BSD · Port: Haiku ·
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CodeJava
codejava.net › java-se › setup-oracle-jdk-23-on-macos
Download and Install Oracle JDK 23 on macOS
If not, check the Download page and download the file again. Double-click the DMG installer file to start the installation. It will extract to a package named JDK 23.pkg. Then, double-click this file to launch the setup program for Oracle JDK 23. The JDK 23 installer appears as follows on macOS:Click Continue twice to install JDK 23 with default settings.