Java updates on OS X used to be one of those small maintenance tasks that could also become a security problem if you handled it the wrong way.
The big thing I wanted to point out in this video is simple: if you see a pop-up telling you to update Java, do not use that pop-up as your starting point.
Quick Answer
The safest way to update Java on OS X is to open System Preferences, go to the Java control panel, use the Update tab, and install the update from there.
That keeps you inside the trusted system settings path instead of clicking a browser pop-up or random update prompt that could send you somewhere unsafe.
Why This Matters
Java has a long history of being targeted by fake update prompts. A message that looks like a Java update may not actually be from Java at all.
That is why I do not recommend clicking update links from pop-ups. Even if the prompt looks legitimate, it is better to close it and go directly through OS X System Preferences.
Update Java From System Preferences
Start by opening System Preferences on your Mac. Once you are there, look toward the bottom of the preferences window and click Java.
Java opens its own control panel. From there, choose the Update tab at the top. This is where you can check for and install the current Java update.
- Open System Preferences
- Click Java near the bottom
- Go to the Update tab
- Click the Update button
- Choose Install Update when prompted
Installing The Update
After you click the update button, Java downloads the update. In the video, this did not take very long, but the timing can vary depending on your connection and the size of the update.
Once the download finishes, another install prompt appears. Click Install, enter your Mac password when OS X asks for it, and confirm the installation.
After the installer finishes, you can close the extra window and click OK on the Java confirmation message.
Confirm Java Is Current
After the update is complete, go back into the Java Update tab and check again. If everything worked, Java should report that you have the most recent version installed.
That final check is worth doing because it confirms the update actually applied. Once Java says it is current, you can close the Java panel and System Preferences.
What Not To Do
The main mistake to avoid is clicking a Java update link from a pop-up window, especially in a web browser.
If you are unsure whether Java really needs an update, ignore the pop-up and check manually from System Preferences. That extra step only takes a minute and helps you avoid fake installer pages.
Key Takeaways
- Do not use random pop-up links to update Java on OS X.
- Open System Preferences and launch the Java control panel manually.
- Use the Update tab inside Java to download and install the update.
- Enter your Mac password only when the trusted OS X installer asks for it.
- After installing, check the Java Update tab again to confirm you are on the most recent version.
Watch the Video
The video above above if you want to see the exact OS X Java update process step by step, including where the Java update tab is and what the install prompts look like.
