In this article, I will demonstrate how to install Java OpenJDK 16 on macOS Big Sur in 2021.

Update: I have created a video tutorial on how to install OpenJDK on macOS Big Sur:

If you prefer written instructions, just keep reading:

Download and Install OpenJDK 16

Download the .tar.gz version of OpenJDK 16 from jdk.java.net/16/ and move the file to /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/ on your mac. Then, extract it and delete the archive:

sudo mv openjdk-16.0.1_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/
cd /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/
sudo tar -xzf openjdk-16.0.1_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz
sudo rm openjdk-16.0.1_osx-x64_bin.tar.gz

Next, execute the following command to find out where JDK 16 is located:

$ /usr/libexec/java_home -v16
/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-16.jdk/Contents/Home

and append the resulting path as an export into your .bash_profile (or, change the existing JAVA_HOME entry in your .bash_profile if it already exists):

echo -n "\nexport JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-16.jdk/Contents/Home" >> ~/.bash_profile

and make sure to apply the changes:

source ~/.bash_profile

Test Java

You should now be able to run java:

java -version

You should then see an output similar to the following:

openjdk version "16" 2021-03-16
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 16+36-2231)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 16+36-2231, mixed mode, sharing)

Congratulations! You have installed OpenJDK 16.