Back in the olden days of iMacs thicker than a pencil, Apple used to bundle their own version of Java 6 with their Mac computers. This worked well for most people, but the world moved onto using Java 7 and 8. Apple no longer develops their own version of Java, and official Oracle Java 8 is available for Mac OS X.
But if you've ever tried to play Minecraft on Mac, chances are you've been met with an alert (even if you have Java installed) that you need to download and install Java 6. Not only is this a pain to do in the first place, it can lead to compatibility problems and terrible performance. Playing Minecraft with Java 8 instead of the older 7 and 6 versions can lead to higher FPS and less glitches.
Until Mojang finishes their new launcher for Mac (that comes with it's own copy of Java), this is a guide for playing Minecraft using Java 8:
PRO TIP: If you want to change how much memory Minecraft can use, change the number 1024 in both places of the command to how much RAM you want to use in megabytes (for example, 1GB of RAM = 1024 MB).
You now have Minecraft using Java 8 in your Applications folder! If you update the Java plugin, Minecraft will automatically use the updated java version, so you don't have to change anything.
But if you've ever tried to play Minecraft on Mac, chances are you've been met with an alert (even if you have Java installed) that you need to download and install Java 6. Not only is this a pain to do in the first place, it can lead to compatibility problems and terrible performance. Playing Minecraft with Java 8 instead of the older 7 and 6 versions can lead to higher FPS and less glitches.
Until Mojang finishes their new launcher for Mac (that comes with it's own copy of Java), this is a guide for playing Minecraft using Java 8:
- First, download the latest Java web plugin from here.
- Download the Minecraft.jar file from here (that's a direct link to the file on Minecraft's website). Move the jar file to your home folder.
- Open the Automator app in your Applications folder. Choose the application type.
- On the left sidebar, select Utilities (under 'Library'). Then drag the 'Run Shell Script' into the workflow.
- Copy and paste "/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/bin/java" -d64 -jar ~/minecraft.jar -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M (with the quotes) in the big text box.
- Click the big Run button on the top left of Automator to try it out. If it works, Minecraft will open using Java 8. When you know it works, close the window.
- Back in Automator, go to the File > Save menu and save it with the name 'Minecraft'. You can save it wherever you want, but I saved it in the Applications folder.
PRO TIP: If you want to change how much memory Minecraft can use, change the number 1024 in both places of the command to how much RAM you want to use in megabytes (for example, 1GB of RAM = 1024 MB).
You now have Minecraft using Java 8 in your Applications folder! If you update the Java plugin, Minecraft will automatically use the updated java version, so you don't have to change anything.
Great guide! I love Macs but Minecraft usually runs terribly on them.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer to save it as an application in [Apple] Script Editor, so it automatically runs when I click on it.
It should run automatically when you open it, as long as you save it as an Application in Automator.
ReplyDeleteI see. You can also change the icon to Minecraft's by doing Get Info on Java Minecraft and CMD-C (copy) the tiny icon at the top left, then doing Get Info on the application and selecting the icon and doing CMD-C (paste) ;)
ReplyDelete