Need help installing Java 8 on Mac OS X

Question

I am trying to upgrade to: Java 8 Update 66, from Java 6, on my Mac running Mac OS X 10.10.5. I downloaded the Java Update .dmg file: re-8u66-macosx-x64.dmg. When I run the installer I get the message it installed properly. When I confirmed the install via the FireFox Browser at this URL: https://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp It reports: Congratulations! You have the recommended Java installed (Version 8 Update 66).

However, If I open a terminal window and enter: java -version It reports: java version "1.6.0_65" Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_65-b14-466.1-11M4716) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 20.65-b04-466.1, mixed mode)

Can someone please explain what is going on here? Do I need to update a link somewhere?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Please check your PATH variable, and make sure that the java directories in the path match the directories in your computer. It should be the bin folder of the JAVA_HOME environment directory. Also check that JAVA_HOME environment variable is set to the jdk folder of your java installation.

Answer 2

There's two option based on my experience to fix this issue, fisrt uninstalled the java on your computer and reinstalled using the latest version.

Second, run a different version of Java, either specify the full path, or use the java_home tool :

List your installed java version:

$ /usr/libexec/java_home -V

In this case you are using java 8 so you can run command
$ /usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8 --exec javac -version

If you want to make easy to switch your java version you can create alias in ~/.bashrc

alias java6="export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.6);echo 'using Java 6'"
alias java8="export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8);echo 'using Java 8'"

Hope it help