How to Quickly and Easily Check Java Version on a Mac

Download Article

Learn how to check what version of Java your Mac is running

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Checking Your System Settings
|
• Getting Information from Your Terminal
|
• Video
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow will teach you how to check what version of Java you have installed on your Mac by checking the System Settings or by using your Mac's Terminal. These methods will only work if you’ve already installed Java on your Mac.

Things You Should Know

• To check the Java version on your Mac, open System Settings and select the "Java" menu item.
• You can open a terminal and type the command java -version to see your Java version.
• If you don't have Java installed, you won't see a Java setting on your computer, but you can download and install it from Java's website.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Checking Your System Settings

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Click

   

   . It's the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the top menu bar. This opens a drop-down menu.
2. 
   2
   Click System Settings. It's the second option from the top of the drop-down menu.

   • If you’re using a pre-Ventura version of macOS, you’ll see System Preferences instead.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Click the Java icon. It's the icon with the blue coffee cup and orange steam. Clicking it opens the Java Control Panel in a new window. You’ll find it in the menu on the left side of the System Settings window. You might have to scroll down to see it.

   • In pre-Ventura versions of macOS, you’ll see this icon in the main System Settings window instead of the left sidebar.
   • If you don't see the Java icon, you do not have Java installed.
4. 
   4
   Click the Update tab at the top. This screen will tell you what version of Java you have, and if you need to update Java.

   • You can also click About in the General tab to see your Java version.
   • If an update is available, follow the instructions to update to the latest recommended version of Java. You can also check the box for "Check for Automatic Updates" so your version will always be updated to the latest versions when they are available.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Information from Your Terminal

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Click Spotlight

   

   in the top-right of the menu bar. This will open a search bar, allowing you to search your computer.
2. 
   2
   Enter Terminal in the search bar. As you type, search results will filter below the search bar.
3. 
   3
   Double-click Terminal

   

   . It's the icon of a small black box with a white command prompt in the corner. This will open your Mac's Terminal.
4. 
   4
   Type java -version and press ⏎ Return. This command will tell you what version of Java your Mac is currently running.

   • If you don’t get a result, you probably don’t have Java installed.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

• If your Mac doesn't have a Java option in your System Settings or you don't get a Java version when using the Terminal, you likely don't have Java installed. Visit Java's website to install Java for your Mac operating system.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you have a newer Mac with an Apple silicon chip instead of an Intel processor, you’ll need to install the ARM 64 version of Java (click the link under the green Download Java for macOS Intel button on the download page to do so).
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement