How to Install Java OpenJDK 15 on macOS Catalina

In this article, I will demonstrate how to install Java OpenJDK 15 on macOS Catalina in 2020.

Download and Install OpenJDK 15

Download the .tar.gz version of OpenJDK 15 from jdk.java.net/15/ and move the file to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/ on your mac. Then, extract it and delete the archive:

sudo mv openjdk-15_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/
cd /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/
sudo tar -xzf openjdk-15_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz
sudo rm openjdk-15_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz

Next, execute the following command to find out where JDK 15 is located:

$ /usr/libexec/java_home -v15
/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-15.jdk/Contents/Home

and append the resulting path as an export into your .bash_profile (or, change the existing JAVA_HOME entry in your .bash_profile if it already exists):

echo -n "\nexport JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-15.jdk/Contents/Home" >> ~/.bash_profile

and make sure to apply the changes:

source ~/.bash_profile

Test Java

You should now be able to run java:

java -version

Depending on your security settings, the following warning needs to be accepted by clicking “Open”:

You should then see an output similar to the following:

openjdk version "15" 2020-09-15
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 15+36-1562)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 15+36-1562, mixed mode, sharing)

Congratulations! You have installed OpenJDK 15.

One more thing:

I’m currently working on a side project named pingmy.tech – it allows you to monitor the execution of regular background tasks such as backups and notifies you when they are not executed on time. Please check it out and create an account for free: https://www.pingmy.tech

Bernhard Knasmüller on Software Development