Mac users, particularly those who rely on Oracle Java applications, might want to hold off on updating to the latest macOS version. According to Oracle, a compatibility issue with the update could disrupt the functionality of Java apps. In a blog post, Aurelio Garcia-Ribeyro, senior director of Product Management, Oracle, said, “An issue introduced by macOS 14.4which causes Java process to terminate unexpectedly, is affecting all Java versions from Java 8 to the early access builds of JDK 22.”
He father said that there is no workaround available, and “since there is no easy way to reverse a macOS updatesaffected users might be unable to return to a stable configuration unless they have a complete backup of their systems prior to the OS update.”
According to the senior executive, the issue was not present in the early access releases for macOS 14.4, so it was discovered only after Apple released the update. Java Virtual Machine generates code dynamically and leverages the protected memory access signal mechanism both for correctness (eg, to handle the truncation of memory mapped files) and for performance. With macOS 14.4, programs that attempt this will now terminate instead of having the opportunity to handle the signal,” said Ribiyero.
Java is a widely used programming language, and many businesses and organizations rely on Java-based applications for various tasks. While not as ubiquitous on personal computers as it once was, Java remains a critical tool in many workplaces.
Apple hasn’t commented on the issue so far. macOS Sonoma 14.4 was released earlier this month and offers a mix of security patches and a few new features. On the feature front, podcast enthusiasts can now enjoy transcripts for easier comprehension and navigation. New emoji also joins the party, letting you express yourself with a mushroom, phoenix, or even a broken chain. While not a massive update, Sonoma 14.4 brings a security boost as well.