# List all installed JREs/JDKs /usr/libexec/java_home -V export JAVA_HOME= /usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8 java -version
Install JEnv to automatically switch versions per directory. java runtime for mac
However, Apple’s transition from its own proprietary Java implementation to a fully Oracle/OpenJDK-based model has created confusion. This article cuts through the noise, explaining what the JRE is, how macOS handles it, and the best practices for installation and management. The Java Runtime Environment is the software layer that allows your Mac to execute Java bytecode. It is not for developers (who need the JDK, or Java Development Kit) but for end-users who simply need to run programs. explaining what the JRE is