Want to install Legacy Java SE 6 Runtime on Mac? Try this

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by Milan Stanojevic 

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Key notes

  • Installing Java SE6 on your Mac can be complicated, but this guide will provide you with the required steps.
  • You can install Java either by installing it from Apple, by installing it manually, or by using the script presented in this guide.
  • To be absolutely sure you will always have a few tricks up your sleeve when encountering issues, bookmark our detailed Mac Fix Hub.
  • For more detailed Mac-related information, visit our extensive Mac webpage.
Mac Java Runtime error

When launching an Adobe app such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or Premiere Pro on Mac, you may encounter the To open Adobe app you need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime error. Some of the older Adobe Apps require your Mac to have installed the Java SE 6 Runtime.

Apart from the Adobe apps, other popular apps like FileMaker Pro, PatchTool, Dreamweaver, Eclipse may also show a similar error and require the Java SE 6 to run without any error.

If you are also troubled by this error, in this article we show you two ways to install Java SE 6 on Mac and get rid of the error without uninstalling Java SE 8.

Install legacy Java SE 6 on Mac [Tutorial]

1. Install Java SE 6 from Apple

Java SE 6 runtime error

  1. If the More Info link is broken, try this.
  2. Launch the Adobe app or any other that was triggering the error.
  3. Wait for the error to occur.
  4. Click on the More Info link in the error window.
  5. It will open the Apple Support site. The site shows the instructions to download and install Java Se 6 on your Mac.
  6. Once you have downloaded the installer, double-click on the .dmg file to run the installer.
  7. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

 

Install Java SE 6 manually 

Install Java SE 6 on Mac

  1. Open the Apple support page to download Java SE 6 installer.
  2. Click the Download button to download the installer.
  3. You can also directly download the file from here.
  4. Once the download is complete, click on the download icon on the dock to open the download folder.
  5. Double-click on the JavaforOS.dmg file to open the folder.
  6. Double-click on JavaforOSX.pkg to run the installer.
    Install Java SE 6 on Mac
  7. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instruction to install Java SE 6 successfully.
  8. Try to open the problematic app and check if the Java SE6 error is resolved.

As the error indicates, the particular app relies on Java 6 to function correctly. Since the newer version of Mac comes installed with Java SE 8 which is not backward compatible, the programs will end up displaying the aforementioned error. However, the error can be resolved by installing the legacy Java version.

If due to any reason, the installation fails, follow the second step to remove the installer limitations using a script.

2. Install Java SE 6 using a script

Apple Java SE 6

  1. Download the legacy Java SE 6 installer from here. Click the Download button to begin downloading.
  2. Once the file is downloaded, do the following.
  3. Go to Application > Utilities and open Script Editor.
  4. In the Script Editor, copy and paste the following command:

    set theDMG to choose file with prompt “Please select javaforosx.dmg:” of type {“dmg”} do shell script “hdiutil mount ” & quoted form of POSIX path of theDMG do shell script “pkgutil –expand /Volumes/Java for macOS 2017-001/JavaForOSX.pkg ~/tmp” do shell script “hdiutil unmount /Volumes/Java for macOS 2017-001/” do shell script “sed -i ” ‘s/return false/return true/g’ ~/tmp/Distribution” do shell script “pkgutil –flatten ~/tmp ~/Desktop/Java.pkg” do shell script “rm -rf ~/tmp” display dialog “Modified Java.pkg saved on desktop” buttons {“Ok”}

  5. Press Command + R to run the script.
  6. When prompted, select javaforosx.dmg file and wait for the script to finish and install the Java.pkg file.

Script credit – bogdanw from Mac Rumours.

The above script removes the installation limits from Java macOS 2017-001 and helps in installing Java SE 6 if the installation failed during the first attempt.

Some legacy apps for Mac may require Java SE 6 even though Mac OSX and above comes installed with Java SE 8 out of the box. By following the steps in this article you can install Install Java SE 6 on Mac.

FAQ: Learn more about using Java on Mac

  • Is Java bad for Mac?

No, even though Java has been seen as a possible security threat, Java can help you on Mac as well. The latest released versions of Java have solved the security issue.

  • Can I have two Java versions installed?

Yes, you can have two versions of Java installed, depending on the environment in which you want to use it.

  • Should I remove Java from my Mac?

You can remove Java from your Mac if you’re not using it.

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Milan Stanojevic

Milan Stanojevic Shield

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He's a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he's one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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