Technology

Enabling Java in Mac OS X

Last modified 9/21/2023

Before you begin

Security Precaution

As a security precaution, Java is disabled by default on some versions of OS X. To use Java web applications and websites, you must enable it. 

Java Preferences (Mac OS X 10.7.3 and above)

You may not have a Java Preferences icon in your Utilities window. If you do not find a Java Preferences icon, you can skip this step

To enable Java through Java Preferences in Mac OS X, do the following:

  1. Open Finder
  2. Go to Application ?  Utilities ?  Java Preferences.
    1. If you do not have a Java Preferences icon here, skip these steps and enable Java in Safari as described below.
  3. Under the General tab, put a checkmark next to Enable applet plug-in and Web Start Applications. 
  4. Also, make sure all versions have a checkmark next to them.
  5. Close Java Preferences.

Java has now been enabled through Java Preferences.

Java in Safari

Note: Safari versions 12 and below

These instructions only work for Safari browser version 12 and below. Per Java.com, Apple has removed NPAPI plugin support for Safari version above 12.


To enable Java in Safari in OS X, do the following: 

  1.  Launch Safari
  2. Click Safari ?  Preferences...
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Check the option Enable JavaScript. 

Java is now enable in Safari.

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