Install Java using Homebrew and jEnv on MacOS

Sometimes it’s desirable to use different Java versions. Here’s one way how to do it on a Mac.

Prerequisites

If you haven’t already, install Homebrew as a first step.

$ /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Now, that Homebrew is installed, install jEnv, next. It’ll enable you to manage multiple Java installations and to switch easily amongst them.

$ brew install jenv

Follow the steps listed in the official jEnv documentation if you’re using a shell other than zsh to configure jEnv.

You’ll find the steps necessary to configure zsh below.

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

Install JDKs

Now, that all pieces are in place, let’s install a JDK. You may chose whichever version you need. There is a list of available JDKs under https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/openjdk.

$ brew install openjdk@17

Manage JDKs

In order to manage the newly installed JDK with jEnv, let’s make jEnv aware of it.

$ jenv add /opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@17/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home/

You can chose to install additional JDKs now but we’ll check the available versions with jEnv, first.

$ jenv versions
* system (set by ~/.jenv/version)
  17
  17.0
  17.0.13
  openjdk64-17.0.13

You can easily switch between versions using the following command.

$ jenv global openjdk64-17.0.13

This will enable the selected JDK on a global level. You may also chose to only enable it in a given directory by using the local instead of global command.

You must restart you terminal for the changes to take effect.

Happy coding!