How to set or change the default Java (JDK) version on macOS?

Asked 23/2, 2014 at 5:46 Answered 11/4 at 18:33

1358

How can you change the default version of Java on a mac?

Waffle answered 23/2, 2014 at 5:46 Comment(8)

what does executing /usr/libexec/java_home tell you? – Nard 23/2, 2014 at 6:0

/usr/libexec/java_home returns /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home – Waffle 23/2, 2014 at 6:1

Could be you just need to reboot. Have you tried that? – Nard 23/2, 2014 at 6:4

Yep restarted the computer and the terminal... no change. – Waffle 23/2, 2014 at 6:55

Could you please accept the highly voted answer from @markhellewell below? It would have helped me find it a bit faster, and it's just nice. :) – Pelagia 16/11, 2016 at 1:10

@Waffle It's now almost 7 years since the question, did any of the answers solve the problem? ;) As Taytay mentioned, would be nice to have an accepted answer for such a popular question. – Bowknot 9/2, 2021 at 12:46

Agreed. Please (try to) accept an answer. This still shows up as a "unanswered question" in SOF queries. – Franctireur 3/10, 2022 at 12:10

For those wanting /usr/libexec/java_home to be managed by SDKMAN see this answer: https://mcmap.net/q/44927/-how-to-make-usr-libexec-java_home-find-jdk-installed-using-sdkman-on-macos – Extracurricular 14/2 at 18:2

2455

First run /usr/libexec/java_home -V which will output something like the following:

Matching Java Virtual Machines (3):
1.8.0_05, x86_64:   "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_05.jdk/Contents/Home
1.6.0_65-b14-462, x86_64:   "Java SE 6" /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home
1.6.0_65-b14-462, i386: "Java SE 6" /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_05.jdk/Contents/Home

Pick the version you want to be the default (1.6.0_65-b14-462 for arguments sake) then:

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.6.0_65-b14-462`

or you can specify just the major version, like:

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8`

Now when you run java -version you will see:

java version "1.6.0_65"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_65-b14-462-11M4609)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 20.65-b04-462, mixed mode)

Add the export JAVA_HOME… line to your shell’s init file.

For Bash (as stated by antonyh):

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

For Fish (as stated by ormurin)

set -x JAVA_HOME (/usr/libexec/java_home -d64 -v1.8)

Updating the .zshrc file should work:

nano ~/.zshrc

export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0)

Press CTRL+X to exit the editor Press Y to save your changes

source ~/.zshrc
echo $JAVA_HOME
java -version

Claudie answered 9/7, 2014 at 15:23 Comment(29)

@MattO'Brien it’s something which depends on the shell you’re using, and the configuration you have in place, so I can’t give a complete solution for that… – Claudie 14/11, 2014 at 2:25

those really are backticks the export line – Stilton 27/11, 2014 at 19:38

This did not work for me. Grab the path from running java_home -V and add this to the export command, like this export JAVA_HOME="/System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home" – Trull 28/11, 2014 at 1:4

@Trull it does work as long as your “java_home” executable isn’t broken. Also, as pointed out, the backticks are required (they are replaced by the result of the expression contained within them) – Claudie 30/11, 2014 at 3:16

This works in Bash - export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8) - also note, java_home allows partial matches so you don't have to include the full version as it'll find the latest installed. This makes updates easier. – Latterll 24/12, 2014 at 15:28

Make sure you are using ` ` not ' ' for export. – Garrott 12/1, 2015 at 10:49

With proper setup, the response from java_home decides which java command gets executed. However, since java_home doesn't depend on JAVA_HOME, setting it will not change anything about the response from java -version. If you have in mind some mechanism which connects JAVA_HOME with the java command, your answer does not mention it. – Ankus 3/3, 2015 at 6:11

@MarkoTopolnik I can’t tell if you are trolling. It is most certainly possible to tell the java command which version of Java you want to run by setting JAVA_HOME. The key thing here is that JAVA_HOME is being set by the output of the java_home -v … command. Backticks replace the shell command contained within them with the result of that command. Consider the following: JAVA_HOME=java_home -v 1.8 becomes, after evaluation JAVA_HOME=/path/to/java1.8/home – Claudie 4/3, 2015 at 10:34

Hm, I stand corrected. /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Commands/java does honor JAVA_HOME, if present. If not, or if invalid, it relies on a direct call to /usr/libexec/java_home. – Ankus 4/3, 2015 at 12:6

As a note to the future reader, this mechanism works only if you have installed Apple's Java before installing Oracle's, and that seems to be an ever less common case. – Ankus 4/3, 2015 at 17:15

OS X yosemite only shows 1.6, even though 1.8.45 is installed. – Uriisa 8/7, 2015 at 21:38

Another option is to uninstall the java version you don't want (if its default) :) – Bloodletting 18/5, 2016 at 17:12

/usr/libexec/java_home -V is giving: Matching Java Virtual Machines (2): 1.8.0_121-zulu-8.20.0.5, x86_64: "Zulu 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/zulu-8.jdk/Contents/Home 1.8.0_121, x86_64: "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_121.jdk/Contents/Home export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0_121) In this case, won’t help much, because it appears to select the first that starts with 1.8.0_121 ?? Any ideas how to handle this case? – Radley 24/3, 2017 at 12:41

2018 and still this works but only for the current running shell, for system-wide setting please see the answer below or https://mcmap.net/q/44914/-how-to-set-or-change-the-default-java-jdk-version-on-macos – Itchy 25/10, 2018 at 5:2

I wish I could upvote this every time I have to google "os x switch java version" and get back here – Embrey 19/12, 2018 at 16:14

Doesn't work. I ran the exact same steps and I still see jdk 8 instead of 9.0.1. – Sudarium 23/1, 2019 at 12:16

this isn't working for me anymore. it fixes just JAVA_HOME but maven or other programs are still using my other java version. combined with this solution, i came to a new idea #17885994 – Lemley 19/4, 2019 at 14:39

Just an enhancement for this: add this fun to bash_profle function jc() {export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8)}.... Then, invoke from terminal: jc 1.8 or jc 12.0.1 this will change the java version – Menashem 13/5, 2019 at 22:11

If you are using a fish terminal then you can use the following command: set -x JAVA_HOME (/usr/libexec/java_home -d64 -v1.8) or better yet add it to your .config/fish/config.fish file – Medley 14/5, 2020 at 10:4

Thanks, this is working for me. However, I have to do it every time I restart my terminal. Any suggestion on how to make the change permanent? – Forsaken 23/5, 2020 at 10:30

@Forsaken you can put the export line in your .bash_profile or .bashrc – Malpighiaceous 26/5, 2020 at 0:8

Where does $JAVA_HOME comes from ? overall the answer works, but I don't get what it does. When this variable is set what happens? I suspect that when java process is starting it checks for this variable, and if it is present, it starts the java with the appropriate version, am I righ ? – Frodina 7/10, 2020 at 10:20

This work for me, i change from java 11 to java 8 in a downgrade... – Stripteaser 26/5, 2021 at 2:9

Couldn't find any other solution but this worked like a charm, thanks! :D – Dundalk 23/8, 2021 at 6:43

What do you do when java -version lists a version that is not listed with /usr/libexec/java_home -V? It confuses me a lot. – Skye 6/11, 2021 at 16:4

This is the best answer, using jenv or sdkman adds just unnecessary magic, which breaks sooner or later. – Bowknot 3/12, 2021 at 14:2

This does not seem to work for Java 8 (OpenJDK) on macOS 12.1. I have created a separate question, specifically for that: #70557854 – Frey 2/1, 2022 at 15:50

Does not answer the question how to select the Java version for macOS. – Emlynn 29/1, 2022 at 11:44

In case you have issues setting it up on nano, for a Java 17 version on mac we should take out the parenthesis, then run the source command. Do type this line to update the .zshrc file: export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/corretto-17.0.9/Contents/Home – Lyricism 10/12, 2023 at 1:56

585

This answer is an attempt to address: how to control java version system-wide (not just in currently running shell) when several versions of JDK are installed for development purposes on macOS El Capitan or newer (Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave). As far as I can tell, none of the current answers do that (*).

As a developer, I use several JDKs, and I want to switch from one to the other easily. Usually I have the latest stable one for general use, and others for tests. But I don't want the system (e.g. when I start my IDE) to use the latest "early access" version I have for now. I want to control system's default, and that should be latest stable.

The following approach works with Java 7 to 12 at least (early access at the time of this writing), with Oracle JDK or OpenJDK (including builds by AdoptOpenJDK produced after mid-October 2018).

Solution without 3rd party tools:

leave all JDKs at their default location, under /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines. The system will pick the highest version by default.
To exclude a JDK from being picked by default, rename its Contents/Info.plist to Info.plist.disabled. That JDK can still be used when $JAVA_HOME points to it, or explicitly referenced in a script or configuration. It will simply be ignored by system's java command.

System launcher will use the JDK with highest version among those that have an Info.plist file.

When working in a shell with alternate JDK, pick your method among existing answers (jenv, or custom aliases/scripts around /usr/libexec/java_home, etc).

Details of investigation in this gist.

(*) Current answers are either obsolete (no longer valid for macOS El Capitan or Sierra), or only address a single JDK, or do not address the system-wide aspect. Many explain how to change $JAVA_HOME, but this only affects the current shell and what is launched from there. It won't affect an application started from OS launcher (unless you change the right file and logout/login, which is tedious). Same for jenv, it's cool and all, but as far as I can tell it merely changes environment variables, so it has the same limitation.

Litt answered 24/5, 2017 at 22:25 Comment(20)

This is the answer I was looking for, since jenv nor JAVA_HOME are able to set the system-wide java version, i.e. the one Eclipse would use. – Chenopod 2/6, 2017 at 6:52

I've renamed "Info.plist" to "Info.plist.disabled" yet my java control panel is still picking up the latest java version installed on my machine. Does anyone know if this is still working? As of july/2017 with Sierra 10.12.6. – Golanka 26/7, 2017 at 13:5

@Rodrigo Yes, as mentioned in "Details of investigation" (linked above): "Installing a JDK also overwrites /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/. Apparently this is the one that the new Preferences pane will launch -- this is the only exception I found to my solution: that thingy will still use JDK9 (latest I installed), but no other Java application does." – Litt 26/7, 2017 at 13:9

@HuguesM. I'm on Sierra and I've been trying to get a legacy application to use Apple's JDK 6 when I launch it (the application requires Java 6). I tried renaming Info.plist, but still when I launched an application it seemed to hang as usual (ever since the upgrade to Sierra). The only other JDK installed is 7. – Eld 29/10, 2017 at 18:13

Worth noting that java versions are found in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines, and that the above excellent working solution is within that context. – Mispleading 8/12, 2017 at 16:53

Thanks 'control java version system-wide' is what I was looking into – Spicule 5/1, 2018 at 15:22

Exactly, this is the best and the most functional solution for this question. Unfortunately so. – Hollis 19/2, 2018 at 13:22

I wrote a script to make this proces even easier using your method! github.com/JoniVR/JavaVersionSwitcher – Suzan 30/9, 2018 at 15:2

Does not work. It changes the version of java invoked on the command line, but when I try to run Eclipse, it points to the old version and generates this error:"The JVM shared library "/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-11.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home/bin/../lib/server/libjvm.dylib" does not contain the JNI_CreateJavaVM symbol. – Leathers 11/11, 2018 at 3:38

I cannot thank you enough for this answer. This fixed launching applications from the OS launcher. – Fluidics 14/11, 2018 at 20:5

this is the CORRECT answer. – Ehlke 26/11, 2018 at 9:30

working with dcevm-11.0.1 and openjdk-11.0.1.jdk installed at the same time – Medic 5/12, 2018 at 14:47

I did vote up this answer, but I have come to realize this does not work (at least not on macOS 10.14.2). Renaming Info.plist to Info.plist.disabled resulted in Java 11 to no longer be the default version of Java. This was desired, however, Java 11 then was no longer available at all as a filterable Java version using java_home -v. – Herbart 2/1, 2019 at 19:25

Even you set the JAVA_HOME like JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8) , you need to do this because, you do not know how some java apps are looking for the java home. Very helpful post. – Countertype 2/4, 2019 at 18:24

please mark as the answer this is it, systemwide! Some applications for whatever reason only use this as the JDK and there is no way to change it in the application--changing this system wide setting works – Irresolvable 18/9, 2019 at 15:35

Note, there is a downside to mv'ing the Info.plist files aside - the java_home tool will no longer acknowledge that they exist, as that is the configuration file it reads. – Charla 15/4, 2020 at 10:44

When using jenv, consider jenv enable-plugin export which will set up JAVA_HOME based on jenv settings. You do need to restart your shell the first time. – Nicias 4/4, 2021 at 4:2

This worked for me too, as I was trying to get Ghidra to use JDK11 but it kept using JDK16 and having compatibility issues. One way I found to validate that a given JDK was effectively disabled (after renaming Info.plist) was to open a shell, run unset JAVA_HOME, and then run java -version. This way java will have to pick a JDK, just like Ghidra or any other UI-based app would do (as opposed to launched from a terminal). Before renaming anything it would say 16.0, and when I renamed Info.plist in JDK16 it stopped using it by default. Thanks for this post! – Lodging 16/5, 2021 at 22:5

Works for me on Ventura for OpenJDK 19. Thanks! – Banting 28/2, 2023 at 8:44

Does not work with actual eclipse 2023-09 on MacOS Ventura 13.6.2. eclipse will not start with this version set in "eclipse.ini". – Firebrand 4/12, 2023 at 16:15

421

Adding to the above answers, I put the following lines in my .bash_profile (or .zshrc for MacOS 10.15+) which makes it really convenient to switch (including @elektromin's comment for java 9):

alias j20="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 20`; java -version"
alias j19="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 19`; java -version"
alias j18="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 18`; java -version"
alias j17="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 17`; java -version"
alias j16="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 16`; java -version"
alias j15="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 15`; java -version"
alias j14="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 14`; java -version"
alias j13="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 13`; java -version"
alias j12="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 12`; java -version"
alias j11="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 11`; java -version"
alias j10="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 10`; java -version"
alias j9="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 9`; java -version"
alias j8="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8`; java -version"
alias j7="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.7`; java -version"

After inserting, execute $ source .bash_profile

I can switch to Java 8 by typing the following:

$ j8
java version "1.8.0_102"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_102-b14)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.102-b14, mixed mode)

Atropine answered 23/11, 2016 at 1:57 Comment(8)

This is the syntax for Java 9: alias j9="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 9`; java -version" – Aggrade 3/10, 2017 at 6:37

Using alias j10="export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home`; java -version" and then typing j10 allows you to switch back to the current version of Java (in my case Java 10) – Cityscape 1/5, 2018 at 12:58

I would make a cli tool similar to nvm for switching Java versions, but the acronym jvm already means something else :) – Collator 22/9, 2018 at 18:48

I get this error when sourcing: /Users/me/.zshrc:8: permission denied: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-12.jdk/Contents/Home – Seychelles 4/4, 2019 at 22:28

@Seychelles for .zshrc use export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 12) – Limewater 22/8, 2019 at 12:12

add j8 after this declaration line, so that every time it default it to Java8. If required execute j11 to change version. – Unprovided 27/7, 2020 at 5:33

Be aware that when running sudo java -version the version will be different than running as your user.. – Opalina 25/1, 2022 at 23:50

this is just genius! helped a lot! – Equipotential 9/10, 2023 at 5:26

Due to multiple Homebrew, cast(Deprecation Notice AdoptOpenJDK/openjdk), and MacOS updates I'm posting this updated answer.

Homebrew tap AdoptOpenJDK/openjdk is officially deprecated in favor of the temurin casks provided directly from the Homebrew project but Homebrew is the best way to manage and work with different Java versions.

In case you already have Homebrew and AdoptOpenJDK/openjdk cast installed, please untap this brew tap first:

$ brew untap AdoptOpenJDK/openjdk

if you do not have Homebrew installed.

1 - Install Homebrew.

$ ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

2 - To download the latest Jave version (16):

$ brew install --cask temurin

3 - To install other versions:

$ brew tap homebrew/cask-versions
$ brew install --cask temurin8
$ brew install --cask temurin11
$ brew install --cask temurin17
$ brew install --cask temurin18
$ brew install --cask temurin19
$ brew install --cask temurin21

4 - Switch between different versions of Java

Switching between different versions of Java, you only need to add the following to your .bash_profile or .zshrc.

In this case, we want to be able to switch between Java8, Java11, Java17... and Java21:

export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)
export JAVA_11_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v11)
export JAVA_17_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v17)
export JAVA_18_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v18)
export JAVA_19_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v19)
export JAVA_21_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v21)

alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME'
alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME'
alias java17='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_17_HOME'
alias java18='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_18_HOME'
alias java19='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_19_HOME'
alias java21='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_21_HOME'

# default to Java 21
java21

5 - Reload .bash_profile or .zshrc for the aliases to take effect:

$ source ~/.bash_profile

$ source ~/.zshrc

6 - Finally you can use the aliases to switch between different Java versions.

$ java8
$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_261"

Old Guide if you have old Homebrew and MacOS versions...

I will share my experiences with macOS Big Sur v11.4, the best way to deal with these problems is by installing Java using Homebrew:

1 - Install Homebrew.

$ ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

2 - Install Homebrew Cask.

$ brew tap homebrew/cask-versions 
$ brew update 
$ brew tap homebrew/cask

3 - Install the latest version of Java

$ brew cask install java

4 - Install the other needed versions of Java (Java8, Java11, Java13).

$ brew tap adoptopenjdk/openjdk

$ brew cask install adoptopenjdk8
$ brew cask install adoptopenjdk11
$ brew cask install adoptopenjdk13
$ brew cask install adoptopenjdk14

5 - Switch between different versions of Java

Switching between different versions of Java, you only need to add the following to your .bash_profile or .zshrc.

In this case, we want to be able to switch between Java8, Java11, Java13 and Java14:

export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)
export JAVA_11_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v11)
export JAVA_13_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v13)
export JAVA_14_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v14)

alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME'
alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME'
alias java13='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_13_HOME'
alias java14='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_14_HOME'

# default to Java 14
java14

6 - Reload .bash_profile or .zshrc for the aliases to take effect:

$ source ~/.bash_profile

$ source ~/.zshrc

7 - Finally you can use the aliases to switch between different Java versions.

$ java8
$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_261"

For more info, you can see this post: How to Use Brew to Install Java on Mac

Modesta answered 23/6, 2021 at 19:18 Comment(6)

Mind making a minor edit @hermeslm? Seeing this: brew tap caskroom/cask Error: caskroom/cask was moved. Tap homebrew/cask instead. – Okeechobee 2/9, 2021 at 17:55

Good catch @hafichuk, this worked at the moment of this answer. I will edit it, thanks. – Modesta 3/9, 2021 at 20:44

@Modesta brew cask install won't work with newer versions, add an update of: brew install cask packageName. ReferenceL:#30414121 – Halcyon 25/11, 2021 at 10:23

I had to run brew install adoptopenjdk/openjdk/adoptopenjdk8 instead of brew cask install adoptopenjdk8 – Domitian 1/2, 2022 at 14:17

Nov 2022 update for Mac:

export JAVA_11_HOME=/opt/homebrew/Cellar/openjdk@11/11.0.16.1/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home export JAVA_17_HOME=/opt/homebrew/Cellar/openjdk@17/17.0.4.1/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home export JAVA_18_HOME=/opt/homebrew/Cellar/openjdk/18.0.2.1/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home  alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME' alias java17='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_17_HOME' alias java18='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_18_HOME'  # default to Java 14 java18

– Bogosian 23/11, 2022 at 7:2

For those that would like some feedback use e.g. alias java17='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_17_HOME && echo JAVA_HOME set to $JAVA_HOME' – Hughhughes 20/12, 2022 at 16:23

A small fish function based on /usr/libexec/java_home

function jhome
    set JAVA_HOME (/usr/libexec/java_home $argv)
    echo "JAVA_HOME:" $JAVA_HOME
    echo "java -version:"
    java -version
end

If you don't use fish, you can do something similar in bash:

#!/bin/bash

jhome () {
  export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home $@`
  echo "JAVA_HOME:" $JAVA_HOME
  echo "java -version:"
  java -version
}

Then to switch between javas do:

$> jhome           #switches to latest java
$> jhome -v 1.7    #switches to java 1.7
$> jhome -v 1.6    #switches to java 1.6

ref: https://gist.github.com/kenglxn/1843d552dff4d4233271

Ridotto answered 16/6, 2015 at 18:51 Comment(2)

this only changes for the specific terminal session. Is there a way to update this to change it system wide? – Assignor 23/3, 2016 at 12:19

I had to write export JAVA_HOME=(/usr/libexec/java_home $argv) instead of the second line of your jhome function. – Dewees 13/9, 2018 at 9:26

Use jenv is an easy way. (Update 2022)

Install jenv: see Getting started

Install java with brew

brew install openjdk@11
ln -s /usr/local/opt/openjdk@11/libexec/openjdk.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-11.jdk

#other java
brew install openjdk@8
brew install openjdk@17

Add java to jenv

jenv add /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-11.jdk/Contents/Home

Use: refer to jenv

Bilabiate answered 29/5, 2015 at 4:38 Comment(6)

Clean and nice solution. – Lohengrin 6/6, 2016 at 11:58

Instead of "jenv use java 1.8", I had to use "jenv shell 1.8". "shell" could also be "global" or "local" depending on the need. – Praenomen 9/9, 2016 at 14:44

jenv is nice when it works. Would recommend against it though, as it doesn't "really" change the default java version used, evident by running the command "/usr/libexec/java_home -V", only the JAVA_HOME. This causes weird problems with some applications, e.g. Eclipse. – Bowknot 17/1, 2018 at 10:1

Besides that paranoidal part of me suggests against curling anything to bash. Even if you think the site is trusted no-one can guarantee you it's un-hackable. Use your OS' package manager. – Janiculum 7/8, 2018 at 9:43

That info is outdated. Check official documentation or more detailed instructions. – Vietcong 13/12, 2018 at 7:25

Configuring jenv is different now. Please refer to this - jenv.be – Philpott 20/12, 2019 at 13:31

install JDK, not just JRE

/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8

gives

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_111.jdk/Contents/Home

touch .bash_profile

open -a TextEdit.app .bash_profile

TextEdit will show you a blank page which you can fill in.

add to doc: export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_111.jdk/Contents/Home

in terminal:

export JAVA_HOME="$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8)"

try the command:

javac -version

should output:

javac 1.8.0_111

Merell answered 31/10, 2016 at 13:2 Comment(1)

upvote for showing how to install JDK as well – Ancheta 1/11, 2022 at 13:25

It is a little bit tricky, but try to follow the steps described in Installing Java on OS X 10.9 (Mavericks). Basically, you gonna have to update your alias to java.

Step by step:

After installing JDK 1.7, you will need to do the sudo ln -snf in order to change the link to current java. To do so, open Terminal and issue the command:

sudo ln -nsf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.7.0_51.jdk/Contents \
/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/CurrentJDK

Note that the directory jdk1.7.0_51.jdk may change depending on the SDK version you have installed.

Now, you need to set JAVA_HOME to point to where jdk_1.7.0_xx.jdk was installed. Open again the Terminal and type:

export JAVA_HOME="/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.7.0_51.jdk/Contents/Home"

You can add the export JAVA_HOME line above in your .bashrc file to have java permanently in your Terminal

Sacrosanct answered 23/2, 2014 at 5:49 Comment(10)

how do i set JAVA_HOME Variable? is there a particular place I set it in? – Waffle 23/2, 2014 at 5:53

where am I exporting JAVA_HOME? and where will that be saved? – Waffle 23/2, 2014 at 5:59

I've updated the answer. Do you know the SDK version that you have installed? The folder name takes the SDK version number, so the commands above might change a bit. – Sacrosanct 23/2, 2014 at 5:59

I installed the latest one, I think it is 51. – Waffle 23/2, 2014 at 6:1

The variable JAVA_HOME will be exported on the current Terminal session. You can add it to our .bashrc if you want. I will adapt the commands to the last version. – Sacrosanct 23/2, 2014 at 6:2

@Jack you will need to open your .profile file with vi through the terminal. – Nard 23/2, 2014 at 6:3

I suggest you to edit .bashrc with a text editor instead of .profile. – Sacrosanct 23/2, 2014 at 7:17

@Sacrosanct I'd advise against using your hack and use my version instead. It is less error prone and decidedly easier to implement. It also enables people to use both 1.6 and 1.7 without breaking either. – Pirog 9/4, 2014 at 17:27

@Jack edit your .bash_profile type in your terminal: vim ~/.bash_profile – Substitute 13/10, 2014 at 16:7

I got this error after following your answer No Java virtual machine was found after searching the following locations: /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.6/Commands/java – Intermolecular 31/10, 2014 at 14:28

tl;dr

Add the line:

export JAVA_HOME='/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_144.jdk/Contents/Home'

to the file

~/.bash_profile

(replace jdk1.8.0_144.jdk with your downloaded version)

then source ~/.bash_profile

Gigolo answered 3/10, 2017 at 18:22 Comment(0)

Use jenv, it is like a Java environment manager. It is super easy to use and clean

For Mac, follow the steps:

brew install jenv

git clone https://github.com/gcuisinier/jenv.git ~/.jenv

Installation: If you are using bash follow these steps:

$ echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.jenv/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bash_profile

echo 'eval "$(jenv init -)"' >> ~/.bash_profile

$ exec $SHELL -l

Add desired versions of JVM to jenv:

jenv add /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home

jenv add /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.8.0.jdk/Contents/Home

Check the installed versions:

jenv versions

Set the Java version you want to use by:

jenv global oracle64-1.6.0

Kostival answered 10/5, 2017 at 18:58 Comment(1)

I'm using a similar tool: sdkman.io/usage - IMHO much better approach than manual aliases etc – Congenital 30/4, 2020 at 8:30

Consider the following approach only to change the JDK for each and specific tab of your terminal (i.e: iTerm).

Having in the /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines path the two following jdks

openjdk8u275-b01
openjdk-11.0.9.1+1

And in the .bash_profile file the following:

export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-11.0.9.1+1/Contents/Home
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

If you open Iterm - with the first Tab A - and the following commands are executed:

javac -version
javac 11.0.9.1

java -version
openjdk version "11.0.9.1" 2020-11-04
OpenJDK Runtime Environment AdoptOpenJDK (build 11.0.9.1+1)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM AdoptOpenJDK (build 11.0.9.1+1, mixed mode)

The output is correct and expected

But if you open a second Tab B and you need override the default JDK then write in the terminal the following:

export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk8u275-b01/Contents/Home/
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

Then

javac -version
javac 1.8.0_275

java -version
openjdk version "1.8.0_275"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (AdoptOpenJDK)(build 1.8.0_275-b01)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (AdoptOpenJDK)(build 25.275-b01, mixed mode)

It works fine. Of course if the Tab B is closed or you open a new Tab C all work according the .bash_profile settings (therefore the default settings)

Labial answered 17/1, 2021 at 16:14 Comment(0)

Four easy steps using terminal for people who uses the default process.. :)

echo $JAVA_HOME gives you current java home. For eg: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_191.jdk/Contents/Home/
cd /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/ will take you to the folder where u normally install jdks (It might be different for your machines)
ls shows you available folders (normally it will have the version numbers, for eg: jdk1.8.0_191.jdk openjdk-11.0.2.jdk)
export JAVA_HOME='/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-11.0.2.jdk/Contents/Home' will change the java home..

Diverse answered 13/9, 2019 at 8:19 Comment(0)

macOS El Capitan or newer will choose the higher version of the JDK available in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines, so in order to downgrade you may rename the file Info.plist to something else like Info.plist.disabled so that the OS will choose a previous version.

Ridge answered 23/10, 2019 at 17:9 Comment(2)

Easiest way to (: Thanks – Bob 10/2, 2020 at 11:28

This solution allows running VisualVM (currently not supporting JDK 16) with both JDK 15 and 16 installed. – Uncanny 22/3, 2021 at 16:42

Run

/usr/libexec/java_home -V

you will get all the java version that you have

Example:-

Matching Java Virtual Machines (3):
    17.0.7 (x86_64) "Amazon.com Inc." - "Amazon Corretto 17" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/amazon-corretto-17.jdk/Contents/Home
    11.0.19 (x86_64) "Amazon.com Inc." - "Amazon Corretto 11" /Users/abhishek.khaiwale/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/corretto-11.0.19/Contents/Home
    11.0.19 (x86_64) "Amazon.com Inc." - "Amazon Corretto 11" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/amazon-corretto-11.jdk/Contents/Home

If you need java version 11.0.19

Run

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 11.0.19`

Youtube Video Link

Receptionist answered 27/7, 2023 at 9:20 Comment(2)

This has already been mentioned in at least one of the other answers. – Autorotation 27/7, 2023 at 9:25

@Eric Aya the answer had too many details to waste time in urgent situations. – Receptionist 2/8, 2023 at 7:15

function setjdk() {
  if [ $# -ne 0 ]; then
    removeFromPath '/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Home/bin'
    if [ -n "${JAVA_HOME+x}" ]; then
      removeFromPath $JAVA_HOME
    fi
    export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v $@`
    export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
  fi
}

put this in your ~/.profile and use it in your terminal like so setjdk 1.8, setjdk 1.7, setjdk 9 etc etc...

If you don't have removeFromPath then it is:

function removeFromPath() { export PATH=$(echo $PATH | sed -E -e "s;:$1;;" -e "s;$1:?;;") }

Xenomorphic answered 6/4, 2017 at 21:45 Comment(0)

You can add it to your .bash_profile to have the version set by default.

//Open bash profile
open ~/.bash_profile

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8`

// run bash profile
source ~/.bash_profile

Holocaine answered 4/3, 2020 at 20:12 Comment(1)

Thanks! Things of note, you must include the ` marks. and obviously, replace 1.8 with whatever version you might need. In my case 13.0.2 – Iyar 21/3, 2020 at 0:35

Add following in your ~/.bash_profile and set the default java version accordingly.

export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)
export JAVA_11_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v11)

alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME'
alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME'

# default to Java 8
java8

I am using macOS and have installed java using brew.

Edit: If you are not using bash please update the correct shell file, example, if you are using zsh then it will be ~/.zshrc

Cacuminal answered 21/10, 2021 at 5:41 Comment(4)

so does it mean i should put in ~/.zprofile if I am using ~/.zshrc (or zsh terminal) – Fabliau 29/11, 2021 at 1:56

Updated the answer @Fabliau – Cacuminal 7/12, 2021 at 21:47

Beware -- if you do not have the flagged version installed, then java_home will return the default version (unless you include the -F flag). So this can be approach can be misleading! – Sungkiang 14/6, 2022 at 17:6

Not sure if I understand the concern, can you give an example? if someone is setting these variables in .bash_profile, then they are aware of the changes that are being done, it does not happen automatically. – Cacuminal 14/6, 2022 at 18:15

add following command to the ~/.zshenv file

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8`

Archdeaconry answered 28/3, 2019 at 12:36 Comment(0)

Add the following line of code to your .zshrc (or bash_profile):

alias j='f(){ export JAVA_HOME=/usr/libexec/java_home -v $1 };f'

Save to session:

$ source .zshrc

Run command (e.g. j 13, j14, j1.8...)

$ j 1.8

Explanation This is parameterised so you do not need to update the script like other solutions posted. If you do not have the JVM installed you are told. Sample cases below:

/Users/user/IDE/project $ j 1.8
/Users/user/IDE/project $ java -version
openjdk version "1.8.0_265"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (AdoptOpenJDK)(build 1.8.0_265-b01)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (AdoptOpenJDK)(build 25.265-b01, mixed mode)
/Users/user/IDE/project $ j 13
/Users/user/IDE/project $ java -version
openjdk version "13.0.2" 2020-01-14
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 13.0.2+8)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 13.0.2+8, mixed mode, sharing)
/Users/user/IDE/project $ j 1.7
Unable to find any JVMs matching version "1.7".

Gib answered 23/10, 2020 at 11:57 Comment(1)

after I add the script to .zshrc, then run it like j 11, the terminal outputs: f:export: not valid in this context: -v – Thrombokinase 1/4, 2022 at 2:1

Check Java version: java -version

Switch between versions: https://devqa.io/brew-install-java/

open ~/.bash_profile

export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)

export JAVA_11_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v11)

alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME' alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME'

source ~/.bash_profile

When we are switching to java11 or java8, java -version command is not showing the correct version.

In that case use mvn -version to see the correct java version is used for building the solution

Wherewith answered 17/2, 2022 at 8:7 Comment(0)

From the Apple's official java_home(1) man page:

**USAGE**

   /usr/libexec/java_home  helps  users  set a $JAVA_HOME in their login rc files, or provides a way for
   command-line Java tools to use the most appropriate JVM which can satisfy a minimum version or archi-
   tecture  requirement.  The --exec argument can invoke tools in the selected $JAVA_HOME/bin directory,
   which is useful for starting Java command-line tools from launchd plists without hardcoding the  full
   path to the Java command-line tool.

   Usage for bash-style shells:
          $ export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home`

   Usage for csh-style shells:
          % setenv JAVA_HOME `/usr/libexec/java_home`

Laruelarum answered 18/11, 2014 at 13:39 Comment(0)

JDK Switch Script

I have adapted the answer from @Alex above and wrote the following to fix the code for Java 9.

$ cat ~/.jdk
#!/bin/bash

#list available jdks
alias jdks="/usr/libexec/java_home -V"
# jdk version switching - e.g. `jdk 6` will switch to version 1.6
function jdk() {
  echo "Switching java version $1";

  requestedVersion=$1
  oldStyleVersion=8
  # Set the version
  if [ $requestedVersion -gt $oldStyleVersion ]; then
    export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v $1);
  else
    export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.$1`;
  fi

  echo "Setting JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_HOME"

  which java
  java -version;
}

Switch to Java 8

$ jdk 8
Switching java version 8
Setting JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_131.jdk/Contents/Home
/usr/bin/java
java version "1.8.0_131"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_131-b11)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.131-b11, mixed mode)

Switch to Java 9

$ jdk 9
Switching java version 9
Setting JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-9.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home
/usr/bin/java
java version "9.0.1"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 9.0.1+11)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 9.0.1+11, mixed mode)

Roping answered 4/12, 2017 at 6:54 Comment(0)

With no additional tools to install, an easy way to have a separately installed JDK recognized as a first class member by /usr/libexec/java_home -V is to symlink it as follows:

sudo ln -s <path> /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-[some-identifier].jdk

<path> is expected to be a directory containing subdirectories Contents/Home/bin etc.

A common use case is to register the JDK/JRE included with Android Studio:

The default location for the Java tools in recent versions of Android Studio on macOS is /Applications/Android\ Studio.app/Contents/jre. We will use jdk-android-studio.jdk as the identifier:

sudo ln -s /Applications/Android\ Studio.app/Contents/jre /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-android-studio.jdk

Now, /usr/libexec/java_home -V will list it under Matching Java Virtual Machines:

$ /usr/libexec/java_home -V
Matching Java Virtual Machines (1):
    11.0.13 (arm64) "JetBrains s.r.o." - "OpenJDK 11.0.13" /Applications/Android Studio.app/Contents/jre/Contents/Home
/Applications/Android Studio.app/Contents/jre/Contents/Home

Exemplificative answered 14/1, 2019 at 12:47 Comment(1)

this helped me in a second to solve issue in KMM "project Command PhaseScriptExecution failed with a nonzero exit code" – Jarnagin 13/12, 2022 at 12:30

If still u are not able to set it. using this command.

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8

then you have to use this one.

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

it will surely work.

Burra answered 27/9, 2018 at 4:32 Comment(0)

First find out where do you store the environment variables-

emacs
bash_profile
zshrc file

Steps to Set up the environment variable :-

Download the jdk from JAVA
install it by double click
Now set-up environment variables in your file

a. For emacs.profile you can use this link OR see the screenshot below

b. For ZSH profile setup -

1. export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_112.jdk/Contents/Home

2. source ~/.zshrc - Restart zshrc to reflect the changes.

3. echo $JAVA_HOME - make sure path is set up properly 
   ----> /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_112.jdk/Contents/Home

4. java -version 

   -->  java version "1.8.0_112"  Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_112-b16)Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.112-b16, mixed mode)

All set Now you can easily upgrade or degrade the JAVA version..

Clichy answered 29/9, 2018 at 16:59 Comment(0)

Previously I used alias'es in .zshrc for easy switching between versions but today I use SDKMAN. SDKMAN can also handle setting default java for the system, and downloading and installing new java versions.

Once sdkman is installed you can then do commands similar to what is possible with the nvm tool for handling node versions.

sdk list java will list the java versions available on your system as well as available online for installation including their identifier that you can use in the sdk use, sdk default and sdk install commands.

e.g. to install Amazon Corretto 11.0.8 and ask if it should be the new default do this: sdk install java 11.0.8-amzn

A feature I also use regularly is the .sdkmanrc file. If you place that in a directory on your machine and run the sdk env command in the directory then you can configure tool versions used only in that directory. It is also possible to make sdkman switch tool versions automatically using the sdkman_auto_env=true configuration.

sdkman also supports handling other tools for the JVM such as gradle, kotlin, maven and more.

For more information check out https://sdkman.io/usage#env

Muliebrity answered 12/8, 2020 at 9:16 Comment(0)

If you are using fish and you are using mac and you want to be able to switch between JDK's, then below works for me on mac.

@kenglxn's answer didn't work for me and I figured out it bcos didn't set -g which is global !

Put below under ~/.config/fish/config.fish

alias j8="jhome  -v 1.8.0_162"
alias j9="jhome  -v 9.0.1"

function jhome
    set -g -x JAVA_HOME (/usr/libexec/java_home $argv)
    echo "JAVA_HOME:" $JAVA_HOME
    echo "java -version:"
    java -version
end

funcsave jhome

To know which version /minor version you have installed, you can do :

/usr/libexec/java_home -V                                                                              579ms  Wed 14 Feb 11:44:01 2018
Matching Java Virtual Machines (3):
    9.0.1, x86_64:  "Java SE 9.0.1" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-9.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home
    1.8.0_162, x86_64:  "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_162.jdk/Contents/Home
    1.8.0_121, x86_64:  "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_121.jdk/Contents/Home

Annul answered 14/2, 2018 at 11:44 Comment(0)

If you have multiple versions and you want to run something by using a specific version, use this example:

/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.7.0_75 --exec java -jar you-file.jar

Indopacific answered 3/2, 2015 at 10:29 Comment(0)

add this function to bashrc or zshrc, java-change [version] to choose the JDK

# set and change java versions
function java-change() {
  echo "----- old java version -----"
  java -version
  if [ $# -ne 0 ]; then
    export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v $@`
    export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
  fi
  echo "----- new java version -----"
  java -version
}

Octahedron answered 23/2, 2014 at 5:46 Comment(0)

Based on @markhellewell answer I created a couple of alias functions that will do it for you. Just add these to your shell startup file

#list available jdks
alias jdks="/usr/libexec/java_home -V"
# jdk version switching - e.g. `jdk 6` will switch to version 1.6
function jdk() { 
  echo "Switching java version"; 
  export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.$1`; 
  java -version; 
}

https://gist.github.com/Noyabronok/0a90e1f3c52d1aaa941013d3caa8d0e4

Soviet answered 8/3, 2017 at 15:55 Comment(0)

Here is how I do it on my Linux (Ubuntu / Mint mate), I guess Mac can do it similarly.

Install & config

Steps:

[Basic - part]
Download jdk (the .tgz file) by hand.
Uncompress & rename properly, at a proper location.
e.g /mnt/star/program/java/jdk-1.8
Make a soft link, which will be changed to switch java version later.
e.g ln -s /mnt/star/program/java/jdk-1.8 /mnt/star/program/java/java
Thus /mnt/star/program/java/java is the soft link.
Set JAVA_HOME in a start script.
Could use file like /etc/profile.d/eric.sh, or just use ~/.bashrc.
e.g JAVA_HOME=/mnt/star/program/java/java
Then open a new bash shell. java -version should print the java version.
[More version - part]
Download & install more Java version, as need, similar as above steps.
e.g
/mnt/star/program/java/jdk-11
[Switch - part]
In ~/.bashrc, define variable for various Java version.
e.g
_E_JAVA_HOME_11='/mnt/star/program/java/jdk-11'
_E_JAVA_HOME_8='/mnt/star/program/java/jdk-8'
# dir of default version,
_E_JAVA_HOME_D=$_E_JAVA_HOME_8
In ~/.bashrc, define command to switch Java version.
e.g
## switch java version,
alias jv11="rm $JAVA_HOME; ln -s $_E_JAVA_HOME_11 $JAVA_HOME"
alias jv8="rm $JAVA_HOME; ln -s $_E_JAVA_HOME_8 $JAVA_HOME"
# default java version,
alias jvd="rm $JAVA_HOME; ln -s $_E_JAVA_HOME_D $JAVA_HOME"
alias jv="java -version"
In terminal, source ~/.bashrc to make the changes take effect.
Then could switch using the defined commands.

Commands - from above config

Commands:

jv11
Switch to Java 11
jv8
Switch to Java 8
jvd
Switch to default Java version, which is denoted by _E_JAVA_HOME_D defined above.
jv
Show java version.

Example output:

eric@eric-pc:~$ jv
java version "1.8.0_191"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_191-b12)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.191-b12, mixed mode)

eric@eric-pc:~$ jv11
eric@eric-pc:~$ jv
java version "11.0.1" 2018-10-16 LTS
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 18.9 (build 11.0.1+13-LTS)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 18.9 (build 11.0.1+13-LTS, mixed mode)

eric@eric-pc:~$ jvd
eric@eric-pc:~$ jv
java version "1.8.0_191"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_191-b12)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.191-b12, mixed mode)

eric@eric-pc:~$

Mechanism

It switch by changing the soft link, which is used as JAVA_HOME.

Tips

On my machine when install jdk by hand, I keep the minor version, then make a soft link with the major version but without the minor version.
e.g
// this is the actual dir,
jdk1.8.0_191

// this is a soft link to jdk1.8.0_191
jdk-8

// this is a soft link to jdk-8 or jdk-11
java
I define command alias in ~/.bashrc, but define variable in a separate file.
I am using ~/.eric_var to define the variables, and ~/.bashrc will source it (e.g source $HOME/.eric_var).

Chirr answered 9/12, 2018 at 11:41 Comment(0)

Very simple answer:

Run and get all the installed JDK path

/usr/libexec/java_home -V

Run direct commands from jenv.be

git clone https://github.com/jenv/jenv.git ~/.jenv #Linux/macOS
OR
brew install jenv #macOS

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.jenv/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
$ echo 'eval "$(jenv init -)"' >> ~/.zshrc

jenv add PATH_FROM_STEP_1

Americano answered 23/3, 2022 at 6:42 Comment(0)

I suggest to use sdkman to manage different version of java as suggested in previous answers. However, no one mentioned the easy way to switch. run below command to see what all version in installed. I have installed java 8 and java 17 using sdkman.

sdk list java

output

Oracle        |     | 20.0.2       | oracle  |            | 20.0.2-oracle       
           |     | 20.0.1       | oracle  |            | 20.0.1-oracle       
           | >>> | 17.0.8       | oracle  | installed  | 17.0.8-oracle

Right now my default version is set to java 8. If i want to switch to java 17. Use below command for it.

sdk use java 17.0.8-oracle

Now you can see default version is java 17

% java -version             
java version "17.0.8" 2023-07-18 LTS
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 17.0.8+9-LTS-211)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.0.8+9-LTS-211, mixed mode, sharing)

Electrotechnology answered 8/9, 2023 at 6:16 Comment(0)

You will need to check your java_home, which can be in .bash.rc or .zshrc, both are in your area, example: /Users/your_user/here .

Open the file with open or vi in .bash.rc or .zshrc: Change java home to the folder where your jdk .

If you use asdf, it will probably be in this folder:

export JAVA_HOME=/Users/your_user/.asdf/installs/java/your_jdk

If using SDKMAN:

/Users/your_user/.sdkman/candidates/java/your_jdk

If you are using intellij, download the jdk for it, it is here:

/Users/your_user/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/your_jdk/Contents/Home

Knowing where your jdk is, you save it in this path:

export JAVA_HOME=insert_path_here

After, do the command:

 Source ~/.zshrc

To restart the terminal and that's it, close the terminal and do a java-version and you will see the chosen version. Don't forget that once you use intellij, you need to point out the jdk in the idea, in file/project_structure. And ready

Zoi answered 11/4 at 18:33 Comment(0)

-1

I'm using this fish function I wrote:

function javav
  set min_version 8
  set max_version 99
  set java_home_cmd '/usr/libexec/java_home 2>/dev/null --failfast --version'

  if ! test (eval $java_home_cmd $argv)
    echo "Version not found"
    return 1
  end

  for current_version in (seq $min_version $max_version)
    set path_to_remove (eval $java_home_cmd $current_version)
    if ! test -z $path_to_remove
      echo 'Removing' $path_to_remove 'from PATH'
      set PATH (string match --invert $path_to_remove/bin $PATH)
    end
  end

  echo 'Setting up env for Java' $argv
  set -x JAVA_HOME (eval $java_home_cmd $argv)
  set PATH $JAVA_HOME/bin $PATH
end

It basically automates the step in this answer, similarly to this one, but also taking care of setting the PATH.

Just put it in .config/fish/functions/ and then use it like this:

javav 11 # Sets to Java 11
javav 16 # Sets to Java 16

Telmatelo answered 11/6, 2021 at 5:8 Comment(0)

-1

HI you can use this command sudo update-alternatives --config java then you can use the one you like with number for example i have 3 java in my linux so i pick 0 , 1 or etc i hope help for others

Nietzsche answered 1/6, 2023 at 13:44 Comment(2)

Does update-alternatives exist on Mac? – Furlong 1/6, 2023 at 14:59

I don't think update-alternatives exists on Mac, as per apple.stackexchange.com/questions/76704/…. Worth checking :) – Furlong 1/6, 2023 at 15:0

-6

TOO EASY SOLUTION: What a headache - this was a quick easy solution that worked for me.

Mac OS Sierra Version 10.12.13

Use the shortcut keys: CMD+SHIFT+G - type in "/Library/"
Find the JAVA folder
Right Click Java Folder = Move to Trash (Password Required)
Install: Java SE Development Kit 8 jdk-8u131-macosx-x64.dmg | Download Javascript SDK
Make sure the new JAVA folder appears in /LIBRARY/
Install Eclipse | Install Eclipse IDE for Java Developers
Boom Done

Protecting answered 24/5, 2017 at 15:42 Comment(0)

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