How to uninstall Java on Mac

Whether you're sick of Java's security issues or find it unnecessary, there's a fairly easy way to uninstall Java from your Mac using Java's installer. Furthermore, you can also use Terminal to remove Java without leaving a trace. We will discuss both methods in the following article.

Uninstall Java from your Mac using the Java installer

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Java can't be uninstalled like other Mac apps - you can't just click and drag the app into the Trash and call it a day. Luckily, the very thing that installed Java on your Mac, its installer, can be used to uninstall it quickly and easily.

To use the Java installer to remove it from your Mac, you must first find it. Unless your Internet download is moved elsewhere, it will be in the Downloads folder . But if you can't find the installer or you've deleted it, download it again from Java's website.

Once you've found the installer that requires the .dmg extension, you can remove Java from macOS by doing the following:

1. Click on the .dmg file to run it. Then double-click the Java 8 Update file to open the installer.

2. If you receive a warning about Java 8 Update being an application from the Internet, select Open .

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3. The Java installer will now be opened. Click Remove to uninstall Java from your Mac.

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4. When prompted, enter your Mac password, then click OK or press Return (or Enter ).

5. Now, you will be asked about clearing the Java Deployment Cache . Click Yes to remove all traces of Java from your Mac.

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6. After a moment, you will see a window informing you that the job is complete and you have successfully removed Java from your computer! You can click Close to exit the window.

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Now, all you need to do is click and drag both the Java 8 Update installer and the .dmg file into the Trash.

Use Terminal to remove Java from your Mac

If you want to use Terminal to execute commands on your Mac, or want to do more to ensure all traces of Java are removed from macOS, do the following:

1. Launch Terminal using Spotlight search on your Mac ( Command + Space ).

2. Copy and paste the following commands into Terminal one by one:

sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

sudo rm -fr /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane

sudo rm -fr ~/Library/Application Support/Oracle/Java

3. Press the Return key (or Enter ). Enter your Mac admin password when prompted to run the command. This will remove Java from your Mac.

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4. To clear Java cache, copy and paste the following code into Terminal:

rm -r ~/"Library/Application Support/Oracle/Java'

5. Again, press Return and enter your admin password to run the command.

You have successfully removed all traces of Java from your Mac.

Java is a programming language that creates some security issues for Mac and is no longer as relevant as it used to be. Uninstalling is quite easy using the native installer, but using Terminal is recommended if you want the most thorough method.

Kareem Winters

Update 04 December 2023