Oracle SQLDeveloper on MacOS won't open after installation of correct Java

Question

I downloaded the Oracle SQLDeveloper, but when I opened it, it said that it requires a minimum of Java 8 and gave me the website for the download. I went on and downloaded Java

Answer 1

After unzipping the mac sqldeveloper.zip file, you will find the SQLDeveloper.app file.

Copy the SQLDeveloper.app to Applications folder. Later execute the below command in terminal.

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/SQLDeveloper.app

Answer 2

I had the same problem, and none of the above solutions worked for me. I am running MacOS 10.14.5

Instead, I had to uninstall Java12 which I had installed via home brew, and sqlDeveloper. After uninstalling and deleting both, I installed Java8 JDK directly from the oracle website via download, and then I reinstalled sqlDeveloper. After wasting three hours trying to get this to work, this set of steps finally did the trick. I hope this helps others.

Answer 3

The post above is right: SQLDeveloper only runs under Java 8.

This is counter-intuitive as other programs runs under at least X version of a software (not only X version). I kept downloading Java 11 with no luck.

After 1 failed attempt a month ago and two hours of searching today, I found this easy fix worked for me.

Solution

1. Delete the following Java files and folders on your mac.

   • /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
   • /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/(delete current java folder)

2. Download and install Java 8. https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html

3. Launch SQLDeveloper.

Answer 4

Previously, only JDK 8 worked with Oracle SQL Developer.

But, per https://www.oracle.com/tools/downloads/sqldev-v192-downloads.html, JDK 8 or 11 are required. (there is some misleading documentation that says JDK 8 or higher, but it must be 8 or 11). Also, per Oracle, JDK 11.0.7 is certified for Mac OS Catalina.

JDK 11 certification: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/products-doc-jdk11certconfig.html

JDK Certifications: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-subscription/documentation.html#sysconfig

When I only had JDK 14 installed, it wouldn't run. It looked like it was going to, but wouldn't even start. You will need to give permission for it to run as it is still not an Apple approved app. (Ctrl-click, then Open, supposedly works & saves your setting, but after so many changes trying to get this to work, I can't promise).

Answer 5

I had the same problem on Catalina 10.15.6 with SQLDeveloper 20.2.0 but none of the solutions mentioned here solved the problem. First I had to right click the SQLDeveloper.app file and choose "Open" as opposed to just double clicking to avoid the problem where it's not an Apple-approved app.

I tried installing various versions of the JDK and none worked until I tried JDK 11.0.8 (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jdk11-downloads.html). Looking at Applications/SQLDeveloper.app/Contents/MacOS/sqldeveloper.sh as mentioned by Robert Bain helped. It's clear from that script that this version of SQLDeveloper will only accept JDK version 1.8, 11, or 12.

Once I had JDK 11 installed, the install worked as expected.