How to Open JAR File on Windows, Mac and Android Phone

The name “JAR” stands for “Java Archive,” which is a group of files. Developers can use Java to make apps and other things and save them as JAR files. It’s important to remember, though, that JAR files can be dangerous because they contain code that can be run. Make sure you can trust where your JAR file came from before you run it. Sometimes, programs or games are given away as.jar files instead of the usual.exe files. You should know How to Open JAR File on different devices.

You can’t run an app by double-clicking on a JAR file. How do you then open a JAR file? Java used to be a popular way to write code for making free games and apps. Even now, a lot of free apps are still given away as.jar files, which Windows doesn’t support by default. This article will show you how to use your computer to open JAR files.

If you use the Internet often, you will probably run into a JAR file at some point. Unfortunately, this is not the most common format, and first-time users usually have trouble with it. Decompression is one of the quick solutions you can use, but is it really that simple if you have a Mac?

How to Open JAR File on Windows 11 PC

How to Open JAR File on Windows, Mac and Android Phone

Add Java to Windows

java -version
  • The current version of Java is Version 8 Update 311.
  • You can get Java for free if you don’t have it or don’t have the latest version. Click the Install button once you have the file.
  • Run through the Java setup wizard and close the window after the installation process.
  • Then, open your browser to verify that the program is working.

Use Java (TM) Platform SE binary

  • Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer and the folder that has the file you need to run.
  • You should right-click the JAR file, choose Open with from the context menu, and then choose Choose another app.
  • Choose Java(TM) Platform SE binary to open it.
  • Click the box that says “Always use this app to open JAR files,” then click OK to close the menu.
  • Now you can run the selected JAR file, and all other JAR files will also be associated with Java.

Run a JAR file in cmd

  • On the Search tab, type cmd.
  • Choose “Run as administrator” to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Then, type in the following command, replacing pathtofile with the real path to the file you want to run:
java -jar c:\pathtojarfile.jar
  • Press Enter.
  • That will open the executable JAR file so long as it contains a manifest file to specify the application’s entry point

How to Open JAR File on Mac

Check if Your Mac has Java

  • Click the icon for Spotlight search on your Mac to open it.
  • Now, in the Spotlight search bar, type “Terminal” and click on the first result.
  • When the command line opens, type the following command and hit the enter key:
  • java -version
  • If Java is not installed on your Mac, you will get a message that says “No Java runtime present, requesting install message.”
  • Now, click the OK button on the pop-up window.
  • If JDK/JRE is already on your Mac, its version will show up.

Download Java on Mac

If Java is not already installed on your Mac, you need to install it on your Mac.

  • First, you need to open Safari on your Mac.
  • Now, go to the website for Oracle.
  • You will be taken to the page where you can get the latest version of Java. Keep scrolling to see all the packages that are available for each OS.
  • Go to the tab for macOS to get Java for your Mac.
  • Look below the Download column for the.dmg installer link.
  • Check the box next to “I’ve read and agree to the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE” and click “Download” to confirm.
  • When the pop-up window comes up, choose “Save File” and click “OK.”
  • Wait until the file is downloaded to your Mac. How fast you can download depends on how fast your internet connection is.

Install Java File

  • Select System Preferences by clicking on the Apple icon.
  • Now, click on Security & Privacy.
  • Go to the “General” tab and click on the “Lock” icon in the bottom left corner.
  • Enter your password, and then click Open Anyway.
  • Press the Open button once more to make sure.
  • First, go to the Downloads folder and look for the file ending in.dmg.
  • Double-click the file to open it. There will be a folder with a Java.pkg file. Click it twice.
  • A guide to setting up the program will open.
  • Click the “Continue” button, then click “Install.”
  • Give your password and click the Install Software button to start the process of installing.
  • When the file is installed, a message that says “Install Succeeded” will show up on your screen.
  • Press the button labeled Close.

Run .jar Files on Mac

Now that Java is set up correctly on your Mac, you can run JAR files. You can either find where the JAR file is or run the files through the Terminal window.

  • First of all, open the folder containing the JAR file
  • To extract the file, right-click the file and choose the Open option.
  • If a warning pop-up appears, press the Open button once again.

Let’s see the Terminal method of executing the JAR files on your Mac.

  • Click on the Finder icon on the Dock to get started.
  • Now, choose Application from the list on the left.
  • Select Utilities and then Terminal window.
  • When your Mac’s Terminal window opens, type the following command into it.
  • You need to put the name of the JAR file in place of the FILENAME attribute.
  • java -jar FILENAME.jar

How to Open JAR File on Android

  • You can use the links above to get the JBED.apk and libjbedvm.so files on your Android Phone.
  • Using a File Manager app that gives you root access, move the libjbedvm.so file to your Android’s system/lib directory.
  • The JBED.apk file needs to be put on your device. BUT DO NOT YET OPEN IT!
  • Start your device over.
  • Open the JBED app. From the menu, choose SD Card. From the menu, choose the jar/jad file you want to open and install.
  • Open the Java app you just downloaded.

FAQ

Why can’t I open JAR files?

If you try to run a JAR file on Windows or Ubuntu and you don’t have Java installed and the PATH variable isn’t set up right, you will get an error that says “Java not recognized.” Install the Java JDK or JRE on your computer so you can run JAR files.

What is the purpose of a JAR file?

JAR files come with the ZIP file format, so you can use them for tasks like archiving, decompressing, and unpacking archives without losing any data. These are some of the most common ways to use JAR files, and with just these basic features, you can get a lot out of them.

Michael Smith
Michael Smith
Michael Smith, a tech-savvy content editor at Bollyinside. With a knack for simplifying complex tech concepts, Michael specializes in crafting user-friendly "How-to" articles and valuable tips. His focus spans Windows, Mac, hardware, and support. Beyond work, he's an avid explorer of diverse tech fields, constantly staying ahead of the curve.

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