Making Minecraft run with Java 8 on OS X 10.10

Solution 1:

Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite is still Beta software as of July 2014. I wouldn't expect Minecraft to be updated for the new operating system until it is released. Maybe not even then if they still haven't updated it for version 7 which is more than a year old.

1. First make sure you have the latest Minecraft launcher: download here: https://minecraft.net/download

2. Then follow these instructions here to update the minecraft java version and architecture. (I don't have Java 8 so let me know if the paths are not correct) http://blog.fnaard.com/2011/11/minecraft-on-mac-os-x-with-64-bit-java.html

Launch the new app!

If you can't get this to work please let me know how far you got.

Other references:

General mac minecraft install tips: http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/unmodified-minecraft-client/tutorials-and-faqs/1871626-mac-support-101

Another way to use a newer version of Java with Minecraft for Mac (scroll down for updates) http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/unmodified-minecraft-client/1858141-minecraft-x64-for-mac-with-java-7#entry21096898

Bug report for Minecraft not recognising the current Java version: https://bugs.mojang.com/browse/MCL-1049

Another way to update the Minecraft app for Java 7 (requires additional software) http://kovuthehusky.com/blog/running-minecraft-on-os-x-using-java-7/

Solution 2:

Ever since the new Minecraft launcher was released back at version 1.6, it is no longer necessary to mess around with application bundles or command line trickery to change the version of Java you wish to use.

The Minecraft Launcher itself will still require Java 6 on Mac, but Minecraft itself will launch with the version that you specify in the launcher.

Here is how you change it:

1. First of all, you need to install the Java 8 JDK. The JRE only works as a browser plugin.

2. You will also need to install Java 6 to use the launcher. Follow the instructions you were given when you tried to run the launcher.

3. Once the launcher is running, click Edit Profile

4. Under Advanced Settings, click the Executable checkbox, and enter the path to the java binary of the version of Java you wish to use. Each revision of Java 7 or Java 8 is stored in its own directory so check the path in Finder to make sure you have the correct directory. My Java 8 path is as follows:

   /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_20.jdk/Contents/Home/bin/java

5. You may wish to increase the amount of memory that Java uses by clicking the JVM Arguments checkbox. My setting is as follows:

   -Xmx1G -XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+CMSIncrementalMode -XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy -Xmn128M

6. Now save your profile, and launch Minecraft. You can verify the version of Java you are using by pressing F3 during gameplay and looking in the upper right-hand corner.