Change the default Java Version on macOS

Here, We are trying to change the version to Java SE 8

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

Matching Java Virtual Machines (3):
    16.0.2 (x86_64) "Oracle Corporation" - "Java SE 16.0.2" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-16.0.2.jdk/Contents/Home
    1.8.202.08 (x86_64) "Oracle Corporation" - "Java" /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home
    1.8.0_202 (x86_64) "Oracle Corporation" - "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_202.jdk/Contents/Home

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-16.0.2.jdk/Contents/Home

Pick the version you want to be the default (1.8.0_202) then:

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0_202`

Now when you run java -version you will see:

java version "1.8.0_202"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_202-b08)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.202-b08, mixed mode)

Add the

export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0_202`

line to your shell’s init file.

Updating the .zshrc file should work:

nano ~/.zshrc

paste the line

export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0_202)

at bottom of the file.

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

source ~/.zshrc
echo $JAVA_HOME
java -version

Output should be:

java version "1.8.0_202"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_202-b08)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.202-b08, mixed mode)

Resources

Stackoverflow

Comments

[Jan Wedel]

I just set up a new Mac for Java dev, and I can only recommend using SDKMan which allow to download, install and switch between different Java versions just with a CLI command:

sdkman.io/

[Rithvik]

This is for executing RMI, where JDK 8 is recommended

[Jan Wedel]

Ok… uhm. Did you mention RMI anywhere in your article where do you got the information that Java 8 is recommended for RMI over more recent versions? And anyways, I’m pretty sure that SDKMan also provides a JDK8. Did you try that?

[Rithvik]

Why to try some other third party apps if native method is working fine..

Anyway thanks for advice I will definitely try it out :)

[Jan Wedel]

• sdkman is actually very widely used
• it is very convenient and cross platform, so works on Mac, Windows
• it will list all available jdks (Amazon, Oracle, MS etc) and versions
• it downloads the jdks
• it knows how to install them
• it allows switching them instantly in the same shell

Honestly, I don’t see many reasons not to use it except for „it’s third party“