Similar to many software, java is a plugin designed to extend how web browsers function. Most times people realize the presence of java when it starts causing havoc to their computer. Java only causes problems when users fail to update it to its latest version. However it’s not a must to keep it, and users have many methods to choose from as regards removing it. Any user that wants to remove java should only ensure that they won’t need it again before removing it. Let us know ‘How To Remove Java From Mac?’.
In removing java completely from a computer, users have four different methods to choose from. This includes removing using the manual method, using the terminal, using system preferences, and using the finder. This article will explain the procedures for using each of the above-mentioned methods.
Reasons Users Should Uninstall Java
As stated earlier, java is a plugin. So it isn’t a standard app which means most users don’t need to keep it on their Mac. Especially if they can’t keep up with making sure it’s on the latest version.
The people that need to keep java are people who have applications and websites that use java to run. They need to keep java if those websites and applications running on java are very important to them.
At this junction, the only information they may need is how to always update it to the latest version. This is because updating it to its latest version when needed is the only way to make sure it doesn’t cause havoc.
Consequently updating to the latest version helps fix any available bugs on the system. The latest updated version always comes with enhanced performances as well. Which helps the websites and applications that need it to run function well.
Step By Step Guide To Uninstalling Java On Mac
Before any user can think of removing java from their personal computer. They need to be sure that they have administrative privileges. Only users with administrative privileges can access the tools needed for removing the plug-in.
Users with administrative control over their Mac can choose any of the methods mentioned below to properly remove java completely. They are as follows:
Manual Method
The first thing to do is to quit every application that runs with java, then proceed to find and remove it. Since java isn’t a standard app, the user will find it among their downloaded files on the Mac. Here’s how to remove the plug-in;
- Navigate to the location of the downloaded files on the Mac.
- In case it isn’t there, they should go to its site. i.e., java.com then download it.
- Upon successful downloading of the java, they’re to open it and type in their login details.
- After inputting their login details, they should click on continue. This opens up a new window where there’s the remove icon.
- The last step to take here to get rid of java is to tap on the remove icon. Behold the Mac is free from java for good!
Using Finder
This method involves deleting every java related file and plugin available on the Mac. This includes the macOS, mac OS, and mac OS X.
Above all, the user should always remember to back up their computer first. Before removing java or any item in the system directory. After backing up the Mac, they’re to use the following steps to remove java from their Mac;
- Close up every app and browser that uses java.
- Proceed to Mac and bring down the Go menu.
- Next, they should select Go to folder.
- Then type in /Library/Internet Plug-ins/.
- After locating the JavaAppletPlugin.plugin, they should press Delete and that settles it for the first java related plugin.
- They’re to find the “JavaAppletPlugin.plugin and delete it as well from the same folder.
- Now, they’ll navigate back to the Go menu and choose Go to the folder.
- Then type in /Library/PreferencePanes/ as usual. they’ll find JavaControlPanel.prefPane and delete it.
- To Remove the last plugin. They’ll return to the Go tab and choose Go to the folder into Java/Library/Application Support/.
- This completely empties the “Java” folder.
- They should go to the computer trash and remove the java from there as well.
Removing Java Through System Preferences
This method comes in handy when users couldn’t remove java using the finder. Neither could they find the native installation of java to remove using the manual method.
Knowing The Version Of The Java
It’s good to know which version the java is running first before removing it using system preferences. Here’s how to know the version of java available on the person’s mac;
- Navigate to system preferences. They’ll find it on Mac’s launchpad or in the Apple menu.
- It’s in the System preferences that they’ll locate the java among other files located there. They should stroll down to the java icon and right-tap on it.
- Right-tapping on the java icon reveals several options to choose from. One of the options is to Remove the Java preference pane. That’s the target, so the user should tap on it.
- After tapping on it, they’ll find the General icon next, they should tap on it.
- Finally, they’ll see the About tab. This tab shows the version of java that’s on the mac.
How To Remove Java On System Preferences
After knowing the version of java. Follow the steps below to remove java using system preferences;
- Launch the Application folder. In the finder search box, they should input Java and click on Enter.
- They should search for JavaAppletPlugin.plugin and then right-tap on it after locating it.
- This opens up an array of options. They should choose to Move to trash since the whole point is to remove the java.
- Next, they should proceed to Mac’s trash and remove it from there as well.
Confirming That Java is Gone
The next line of action is to confirm that java is completely gone. The user will confirm this by proceeding to the System preferences to search for the java icon.
They won’t see the icon after typing it in the Finder search box. Another step to take after confirming its removal is to disable it in Mac’s safari.
Disabling it in safari is as simple as navigating to Safari, opening it, and selecting Preferences. Next, they should stroll to where Security is and uncheck the Enable java tab and that settles it.
The Terminal Code
The Terminal is a Mac default application that lets users with administrative control over their Mac carry out certain actions. One of those actions includes removing java.
What’s more, is that using the terminal to remove java means the user needs to enter certain command lines. Before removing the java using the terminal code. The user should know the version of java they have and they’ll know by;
- Inputting and clicking the java -version command in Terminal.
- To confirm if they have several versions of java on their Mac, they should input /Library/Java/VirtualMachines.java.
Now that they’re aware of the version/versions of java on the Mac. They should do the following to remove the java;
- Open the terminator app and type /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0 251.jdk sudo rm -rf. They should tap on entering next.
- The next line of action is to input their account’s password. It must be the password with administrative control.
Removing Every Java Plugins Using Terminal
Perhaps they want an absolute removal of java which is the best. The user should;
- Enter sudo rm -rf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_251.jdk. This will remove the applet plugin.
- sudo rm -rf “/Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane. Inputting this command will help remove the JCP plugin.
- Inputting sudo rm -rf “/Library/Application Support/Oracle/Java will eliminate every java file.
- Lastly, this sudo rm -rf “/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines command will help remove completely the JDKs.
To verify that there’s no more java on the Mac, they should input Java on the terminal. The absence of java will showcase No Java runtime present, requesting installation.
Above all, the user must make sure they input each of the above commands correctly. A single mistake leads to error and loss of data consequently.
Conclusion
Here’s to everything as regards removing java on one’s Mac. There’s no need to keep Java if the user doesn’t have important apps and sites that use it. Follow the steps carefully and say goodbye to java issues for life!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to keep java on one’s Mac?
Not really, it is not entirely safe. This is because it poses security threats to the operating system. So if there’s no need to keep it, the user should remove it.
2. What is the safest way to keep java on one’s computer?
The safest way to keep java includes downloading the java from the official site alone. Also, the user should ensure they update to its latest version when necessary.
3. Is Java an inbuilt plugin on Mac?
Yes, it is inbuilt for a few versions of mac which includes the Mac OS X 10.6 and below versions. The version Mac OS X 10.7 and above doesn’t have java installed automatically into them.
4. Does Safari use Java?
Yes, however only safari on Mac uses java. Java doesn’t work on safari for iOS products.
