The Answer

You can update Java by downloading the newer version from Oracle directly When you install the installer would delete the older version for you.

The OLD Answer (no longer works)

Or you Mac has built in system that would fetch and update java from Oracle for you for you. Go to System Preference > Java > Update > Update Now. It would also be a good idea to turn on "Check for Updates Automatically" that way when a newer version of Java comes out your Mac would ask you to install it and it becomes a simple one click install.

Answer from OLIVER.KOO on Stack Overflow
🌐
Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › mac_java_update.html
How do I Update Java for my Mac?
Go to the Update tab in Java Control Panel and click on Update Now button that brings up Installer window.
🌐
Mac Install Guide
mac.install.guide › java › update
Update Java on Mac · Mac Install Guide · 2026
Depending on how you installed Java, there are four or more likely locations for Java and different commands needed to update Java. Brew Install Java - Easy Cask Method — Update with brew upgrade --cask temurin@21 (or your installed cask name). The Homebrew cask method installs a JDK using a symlink so that it appears under /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/temurin-25.jdk/, the standard Java location on macOS.
Discussions
How to update my installed Java version? The “install now” button doesn’t do anything.
Today I received a notification from my MacUpdater that there is a new Java version. I didn’t even know that this on my Mac. I can get to the control panel in the screenshot saying the same, but when I click on “update now” nothing happens (I guess some kind of installer should pop up). What should I do? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MacOS
4
8
April 16, 2023
I ported Mac OS X to the Nintendo Wii
I'm surprised by how well abstracted MacOS is (was). The I/O Kit abstraction layers seemed to actually do what they said. A little kudos to the NeXT developers for that · With that said, I haven't developed drivers for any other platforms, so I really can't say if the abstraction is good compared ... More on news.ycombinator.com
🌐 news.ycombinator.com
328
1924
April 12, 2026
How update Java 11? - Apple Community
How does one readily check whether Java needs updating and easily do the update now, without that Preferences panel? I do realize that I can check the current version from Terminal via command "java --version". But without having to browse to Oracle's Java site, is there some easy way to see if that version is indeed the current version? iMac, macOS ... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
October 31, 2018
macos - Java Update not working on Macbook - Ask Different
Stack Exchange network consists ... trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Visit Stack Exchange · The 2026 Annual Developer Survey is live— take the Survey today!. ... Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Explore Stack Internal ... I have a Macbook Pro with running OS 12.6. ... Since I'm running applications which require a higher Java version (jEdit for instance), I want to update ... More on apple.stackexchange.com
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April 16, 2023
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Stack Overflow
stackoverflow.com › questions › 45705054 › what-is-the-best-way-to-update-java-version-on-mac-computer
What is the best way to update Java version on Mac computer? - Stack Overflow
Top answer
1 of 2
30

The Answer

You can update Java by downloading the newer version from Oracle directly When you install the installer would delete the older version for you.

The OLD Answer (no longer works)

Or you Mac has built in system that would fetch and update java from Oracle for you for you. Go to System Preference > Java > Update > Update Now. It would also be a good idea to turn on "Check for Updates Automatically" that way when a newer version of Java comes out your Mac would ask you to install it and it becomes a simple one click install.

2 of 2
8

Just go to the java page and download the latest version. Upon starting the installation process, the installer automatically detects your current java version, either deletes it and does a complete reinstall or just updates your version.

🌐
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.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 106567
Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 17 - Apple Support
Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 17 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_65.
🌐
Medium
medium.com › @anuragchitti1103 › update-java-jdk-version-for-mac-silicon-f0df6b3d1cb7
Update Java JDK version for MAC Silicon - Anurag Chitti - Medium
February 29, 2024 - Here are a few simple steps for updating the JDK version using HomeBrew. ... sudo ln -sfn /opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk\@17/libexec/openjdk.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk.jdk · Now, running /usr/libexec/java_home -V should show the path to JAVA 17, something like:
Find elsewhere
🌐
Besu-eth
docs.besu-eth.org › how to › install and update java
Install and update Java | Besu documentation
2 weeks ago - You might need to update your environment to make Java visible to Besu. Edit the .bashrc file in your home directory (or create it if needed) and add the following lines to the end of the file: ... You should see the JDK versions output. You can install OpenJDK on MacOS using Homebrew.
🌐
Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › java_mac.html
Installing and using Oracle Java on macOS
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. If installing an older version of Java is absolutely required, you must first uninstall the current version. See the instructions at Mac uninstall Java FAQ. Why will applets not run after getting Java through Apple Software Update?
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › how to update my installed java version? the “install now” button doesn’t do anything.
r/MacOS on Reddit: How to update my installed Java version? The “install now” button doesn’t do anything.
April 16, 2023 - But if you really want to manage Java versions on your machine then I’d suggest using homebrew with the “temurin” distribution: https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/temurin ... No idea. How could I know which app is using that? I also don’t really remember installing it myself, unless I did it during the initial setup years ago for some reason. ... Failed to personalize the software update.
🌐
Super User
superuser.com › questions › 151320 › how-do-i-get-a-more-recent-version-of-java-on-my-mac-than-is-showing-up-in-softw
macos - How do i get a more recent version of Java on my Mac than is showing up in software update? - Super User
Top answer
1 of 10
3

This is the latest for Mac OS 10.6.x

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl972

Or, for Mac OS 10.5.x

http://support.apple.com/downloads/Java_for_Mac_OS_X_10_5_Update_7

2 of 10
0

To download/update Java for different versions of Mac OS X you will need to go to Apple’s Developer Connection site for Java.

Apple's Developer Connection Site

🌐
Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com › item
I ported Mac OS X to the Nintendo Wii | Hacker News
April 12, 2026 - I'm surprised by how well abstracted MacOS is (was). The I/O Kit abstraction layers seemed to actually do what they said. A little kudos to the NeXT developers for that · With that said, I haven't developed drivers for any other platforms, so I really can't say if the abstraction is good compared ...
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PhoenixNAP
phoenixnap.com › home › kb › sysadmin › how to check java version on mac
How to Check Java Version on Mac (2 Simple Options)
December 16, 2025 - This tutorial showed you how to ... on a macOS system. In addition to the standard CLI approach, the article included GUI steps available for older Java versions. If you are starting with Java development, read our Best Java IDEs article and find the developer environment that suits your needs. ... DevOps and Development Web Servers How to Update Node.js to ...
🌐
Azul Systems
azul.com › home › azul downloads
Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 Download for Linux, Windows and macOS
May 7, 2026 - Click here to download the Azul Zulu Builds of OpenJDK for Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 for Linux, Windows and macOS. Also download Azul Platform Prime.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 8605968
How update Java 11? - Apple Community
October 31, 2018 - When you click this, it opens in a separate window, but is still functional in macOS Mojave 10.14. This is also shown in the help guid from Oracle: How do I update Java for my Mac? - Oracle When I open this, the tab that opens in Update, and the option to check for updates automatically are available.
🌐
Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › software › programming › java › how to update java: 6 quick ways (automatic & manually)
How to Update or Download Java on PC, Mac, or Linux
February 24, 2025 - Open the Java Control Panel on your PC or Mac. Click the Update tab at the top.
🌐
Mac Install Guide
mac.install.guide › java › new
Java Latest Version · Mac Install Guide · 2026
Read Install Java 21 on Mac if your course requires Java 21. Your project may specify Java 21, 17, 11, or even Java 8. Use what the project requires. If you're joining a software engineering team or working on an existing codebase, check your project's build configuration (pom.xml for Maven, build.gradle for Gradle) or ask your team lead. Wait for your team to complete the migration before upgrading to Java 25. Updating the Java version affects the entire codebase and CI/CD pipeline.
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CodeGuru Forums
forums.codeguru.com › showthread.php
Upgrade Java Version in MAC OS
Hard hitting articles, dicussions, resources, and more all focusing for real developers in the real world.
🌐
Xcitium
xcitium.com › blog › news › how-to-update-java
How to Update Java on Windows, Mac and Linux
February 23, 2026 - Open the Start menu and search for Configure Java. Go to the Update tab. Click Update Now. Follow on-screen instructions to install the latest version.
🌐
Baeldung
baeldung.com › home › java › install java on macos
Install Java on macOS | Baeldung
April 14, 2024 - There are two types of dmg installers available: one for ARM chips for the latest Mac machines like M1 and M2, and one for older “x64” Macs with Intel chips. For our example, we’ll install the x64 installer, although the steps are otherwise the same using the ARM installer: Once the download completes, let’s double-click the DMG file to launch the installer: Furthermore, once the introduction tab opens, click Continue: ... Now, once installation is complete, the Summary tab will be open. Click on the Close button: We’ve successfully installed Java on our Mac via the DMG package.
🌐
Stack Exchange
apple.stackexchange.com › questions › 458654 › java-update-not-working-on-macbook
macos - Java Update not working on Macbook - Ask Different
Top answer
1 of 2
2

Apple stopped supplying Java after Java 6. The Java control Panel was used to control Apple's Java releases and so does not provide later updates.

To get Java 8 you need to install from Oracle's Java pages. Note that the licence for these might involve some restrictions.

For later Java versions there are several other sources e.g. OpenJDK Azul

An easier way to install these versions might be to use a package manager like HomeBrew(although only for the most recent MacOS versions) or Macports.

2 of 2
0

There were an issue with the Update feature for your verion. Manually updating to a newer version will fix it.

I had the same problem fixed based on the advice in the article below. The update now work again.

"This article applies specifically to Oracle JRE 8u331 through 8u351 on macOS. Note that Oracle JDK 8 does not provide auto-update and thus this notice does not apply. Some users who installed Oracle JRE 8 on macOS (on any hardware platform) may experience issues with the Java auto-update feature. This affects Java versions 8u331 through 8u351 (April 19, 2022 through January 16, 2023)."

ref: https://www.java.com/en/download/help/java8_manual_update_macos.html

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