How to Install JDK 8 on Your MacBook M1

To install a JDK in your Macbook M1, you need to look for a version compatible with ARM. Fortunately, thanks to Rosetta 2, the transition should be smooth, and apps that work with Intel should still work fine using Rosetta 2.

In this transition period, we will adapt apps to the new architecture, similar to when Apple moved from PowerPC to Intel in 2006. This change doesn't just mean a boost in performance; it also opens the door to buy Mac apps that work across all Apple platforms (macOS, iOS, iPadOS).

The switch from Intel processors to ARM is significant because Intel uses complex instruction set computing (CISC), while ARM uses reduced instruction set computing (RISC). This means that ARM processors can execute instructions in one cycle, whereas Intel processors need several cycles. ARM has been used by Apple and Android manufacturers in their phone devices, whereas Intel has been used mainly in computers.

As of 2020, Apple has replaced Intel x86 for the ARM-based processor chips in their new Macbooks. It's worth noting that this information may have changed since I wrote this post in early 2021.

When you install a JRE (Java Runtime Environment), you can only install one version at a time on your system. To install an earlier version of the JRE, you must first uninstall the current version. The system will not replace the current JRE with a lower version. You can determine the current JRE version installed on your system by following 'Determining the JRE Version Installed on macOS'(insert link).

When you install a JDK (Java Development Kit), it also installs the JRE. Administrator privileges are required to install the JDK and JRE on macOS, as they are performed on a system-wide basis for all users. You cannot install Java for a single user.

The following are the system requirements for installing the JDK and JRE on macOS:

Macos install jdk 8