How to Install Legacy Java SE 6 Runtime on MacOS

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on July 22, 2021
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

If you are trying to launch any Adobe CS6 or CS5 programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) on OS X Yosemite or later, you will most likely face a problem. After double-clicking on some of Adobe’s apps, a message pops up informing you that to open the app you need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime.

Besides the Adobe CS5 and CS6 packages, other apps require Java SE 6 Runtime. (Eclipse, PDF Studio 9, FileMaker Pro Advanced, Patch Tool, Dreamweaver, even the famous game Minecraft.)

This problem occurs because these apps (Adobe CS5, CS5, etc.) are relying on Java 6. Mac OS X Yosemite (and the newer versions) are having a later version of Java Runtime (SE 8.0). However, Java Runtime is not backward compatible. So, even when the operating system have installed Java Runtime 8, it will NOT run apps that rely on Java Runtime 6. Here is how to get Java 6 on your Mac.

Install Legacy Java SE 6: Method #1

Note: You can have both Java SE 8 and Java SE6 installed on your computer without any issues. And, you DO NOT need to uninstall SE 8 and then install SE 6.

  1. When the pop-up window appears on your screen (telling you to install the legacy Java 6 runtime), click on the More Info
  2. Now, an Apple Support site will load up giving you further instructions how to get the Java 6 runtime.
  3. Follow these instructions and download the Java Runtime 6 installer to your Mac.
  4. Once you have it done, double–click the .dmg file to launch the installer.
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the installation.

Install Legacy Java SE 6: Method #2

If the previous method didn’t work, try the following.

  1. Go to the following link https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572?locale=en_US
    If that link doesn’t work, try this direct link http://download.info.apple.com/Mac_OS_X/031-03190.20140529.Pp3r4/JavaForOSX2014-001.dmg
  1. Download the Java SE 6 for OSX (click the Download button)
  2. Once the download finishes, install the dmg file following the onscreen instructions.

When you have Java Runtime 6 installed on your Mac, you can launch Adobe CS5 (or any other app that require Java 6 runtime).

Note: You DO NOT need to restart your Mac before launching the app.

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on July 22, 2021
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

21
    MA
    maksimimages Sep 29, 2018

    Thanks for that direct link. Apple’s page has no download button today.

    Reply
    LM
    Lilly Meyer Oct 31, 2018

    This works until I get to “Destination Select” and then I get a message
    Java for OS X 2014-001 can’t be installed on this disk. A newer version of this package is already installed.

    It doesn’t seem to let me install both Java 6 and Java 8

    Reply
      AA
      Aberrant_Apostrophe Dec 9, 2018

      I have the same problem.

      Reply
      RR
      Randy Ross Apr 18, 2019

      Same here

      Reply
        S3
        SKI 365 Sep 4, 2019

        Hello Randy, did you manage a solution to get past this?

        Reply
          RR
          Randy Ross Dec 20, 2019

          Not directly. But after upgrading to Mojave, the problem disappeared.

      GH
      Gabriel Heater Aug 29, 2019

      same

      Reply
      S3
      SKI 365 Sep 4, 2019

      Hello Lilly, did you manage to resolve this issue? if so please HELP!

      Reply
        ĐN
        Đổ Thị Cẩm Nhung Dec 29, 2019

        help me, please! i have the same problem

        Reply
    IG
    Ian Gray Dec 12, 2018

    No joy for the same reasons listed by the comments below. Pity. This information is no longer valid, apparently, as the new Mac OS (especially Mojave) is not backwards compatible.

    Reply
    AM
    André Menegatti Apr 24, 2019

    If the PKG doesn’t let you install a previous version of Java, try to follow these steps:

    – Open terminal and type the commands:
    sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
    sudo rm -fr /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane
    sudo rm -fr ~/Library/Application Support/Oracle/Java

    Download Java Installer for Mac OSX from this link:
    https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572

    Reset your mac and then try to run the install.

    Worked for me!

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Sep 14, 2019

      Thank you for sharing your experience

      Reply
    JE
    jeansandjacketrequired Jul 17, 2019

    worked for me!

    Reply
    GH
    Gabriel Heater Aug 29, 2019

    anyone find a work around?

    Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 5, 2019

    They shouldn’t have a problem being installed independently, perhaps you can change the order of their installation and try to install one before the other

    Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 21, 2019

    Try this:
    “If the PKG doesn’t let you install a previous version of Java, try to follow these steps:

    – Open terminal and type the commands:
    sudo rm -fr /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
    sudo rm -fr /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane
    sudo rm -fr ~/Library/Application Support/Oracle/Java

    Download Java Installer for Mac OSX from this link:
    https://support.apple.com/k…

    Reset your mac and then try to run the install.”

    Reply
      RR
      Rondell Ravi Ramcharitar Jan 16, 2020

      when I do that command its asking for a password and I cannot type anything

      Reply
        SW
        Shane Warren Author Jan 18, 2020

        Are you logged on as root user?

        Reply
    MH
    Morten Haugum Hake Feb 11, 2020

    I found a solution from another forum. This worked for me:

    You can use Pacifist https://www.charlessoft.com to force install Java for OS X 2017-001. Open the JavaForOSX.pkg from the dmg with Pacifist, right click and select Install to Default Location, leave the check on Use Administrator Privileges and you will be asked for your password twice. If some errors occur, just click on continue.

    I hope this helps.

    Reply
      AV
      Anastasiya Voloshyn Mar 5, 2020

      Worked for me, thank you for this!

      Reply
      RC
      R. Chacon Jun 10, 2021

      Works for me. Thanks a lot!

      Reply