Multiple Java Version

Here is a quick tip on how to install multiple Java JDK versions (8, …, 11, …, 14 etc.) on macOS X and how to switch between them for your applications.

Installing Java JDK via Homebrew Install multiple Java JDK versions using Homebrew. To install Homebrew run:

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

Now install the Java JDK version 11 or above using brew cask:

brew cask install java # latest version
brew cask install java11 # LTS 11

Note JDK versions prior 11 ( 8 , 9 and 10 ) are no longer supported.

AdoptOpenJDK provides older Java versions. To install the Java JDKs from AdoptOpenJDK: # install from third party repository brew tap adoptopenjdk/openjdk

brew cask install adoptopenjdk
# Java 8 brew cask install adoptopenjdk8
# Java 9 brew cask install adoptopenjdk9
# Java 10 brew cask install adoptopenjdk10

Switch Java JDK via alias Setup your JAVA_HOME path in your .zshrc or .bash_profile for your primary Java version and add an export for each installed Java version.
export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v14)
export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)
export JAVA_11_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v11)
export JAVA_14_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v14)

To check the default Java version and installation path:

java -version # 14

Add an alias to your .zshrc or .bash_profile for each installed Java version. The alias exports JAVA_HOME with the selected JAVA_VERSION_HOME.

alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME'
alias java11='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_11_HOME'
alias java14='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_14_HOME'

Now, to switch between the Java versions, enter an alias java8 in your terminal. Execute java -version to verify that you are now using the correct Java version.

Note : Alias only changes the Java version in the used terminal instance