How to Install Java 25 on Ubuntu

December 5, 2025 Linux VPS

Install Java 25 on Ubuntu using the official repository when available or a verified vendor build when the target release has no APT candidate.

Java 25 is a long-term-support JDK release, but the correct Ubuntu installation method depends on the release and configured official repositories. Check the table first; do not assume apt install openjdk-25-jdk works everywhere.

Java 25 availability by Ubuntu release

The repository availability below was checked on 11 August 2026.

Ubuntu release	Java 25 available from configured official repositories?	Required method
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS	No package listed in Ubuntu Packages	Use a supported vendor package/archive, or choose the Java version provided by the release
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	Yes, in the official Universe/security and updates repositories	Enable Universe, refresh APT, confirm the candidate, then install `openjdk-25-jdk`
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	Yes, in the official Universe/security and updates repositories	Enable Universe, refresh APT, confirm the candidate, then install `openjdk-25-jdk`
Ubuntu 25.10	Yes, in the official Universe/security and updates repositories	Refresh APT, confirm the candidate, then install `openjdk-25-jdk`
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS	Yes, in the official repositories	Refresh APT, confirm the candidate, then install `openjdk-25-jdk`

Swipe to view the full table

Source: Ubuntu Packages search for openjdk-25-jdk , checked 11 August 2026. Repository components and architectures vary, so confirm the candidate on the target server.

Check the Ubuntu release, architecture, and existing Java

Record the current state before changing it:

. /etc/os-release
printf 'Ubuntu release: %s\n' "$VERSION_ID"
dpkg --print-architecture
java -version 2>&1 || true
javac -version 2>&1 || true
update-alternatives --display java 2>/dev/null || true

If applications already use Java, identify their required major version, service definitions, JAVA_HOME, and rollback procedure. Installing another JDK is reversible; changing the system default can affect every service that follows /usr/bin/java.

Method 1: install OpenJDK 25 with APT where available

Use this method only when the table lists the release as available and apt-cache policy shows a real candidate from the intended Ubuntu repositories.

For Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04, enable the official Universe component if it is not already enabled:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y universe
sudo apt-get update

Confirm the candidate before installation:

apt-cache policy openjdk-25-jdk

If Candidate: (none) appears, stop. Do not add an arbitrary PPA or copy a package command for a different Ubuntu release.

Install and verify the JDK:

sudo apt-get install -y openjdk-25-jdk
java -version
javac -version
readlink -f "$(command -v java)"
apt-cache policy openjdk-25-jdk

The JDK includes the runtime and compiler. A headless server can use openjdk-25-jdk-headless when that package fits the application.

Method 2: install a current vendor build where APT is unavailable

When the configured official Ubuntu repositories do not offer Java 25 for the release or architecture, choose a JDK vendor whose support, update, signature/checksum, and licensing terms meet the workload's requirements. Examples include Eclipse Temurin, Oracle JDK, Amazon Corretto, Azul Zulu, and Microsoft Build of OpenJDK.

Prefer the vendor's supported APT repository or signed package instructions for the exact Ubuntu release. For an archive, download the exact version from the official HTTPS location, select the correct architecture, verify the published checksum or signature, and record the version. Do not use an unverified latest URL in an automated production build.

The generic archive workflow is:

Download the exact vendor archive and its published checksum/signature.
Verify integrity and authenticity using the vendor's documented procedure.
Extract to a new versioned directory such as /opt/jdks/VENDOR-25.0.x, replacing the label with the selected vendor and exact version.
Point one service at that path or register only the required binaries with update-alternatives.
Record update ownership and the previous path for rollback.

Do not recursively change permissions on an existing JDK tree. Build a separate versioned directory and switch only after verification.

Select Java 25 without breaking other applications

List registered alternatives:

update-alternatives --list java
update-alternatives --list javac

If the server-wide default should change, select matching runtime and compiler entries:

sudo update-alternatives --config java
sudo update-alternatives --config javac

For an application that needs a different version from the system default, set an explicit JDK path in that application's service definition instead. This avoids changing unrelated workloads.

Set and verify JAVA_HOME

Derive JAVA_HOME from the selected binary instead of guessing an architecture-specific directory:

JAVA_BIN="$(readlink -f "$(command -v java)")"
JAVA_HOME="$(dirname "$(dirname "$JAVA_BIN")")"
printf 'JAVA_HOME=%s\n' "$JAVA_HOME"
"$JAVA_HOME/bin/java" -version

Place the verified path in the specific service's environment configuration. Use /etc/environment only when every relevant user and service should share that default, and test how the service manager loads environment variables.

Deploy the Linux setup on VPS infrastructure

Match CPU, RAM and storage to your Linux services and their expected load.

Linux VPS options for this workload

Review resources and self-managed responsibilities before selecting infrastructure.

Compare

Verify the installation with a small program

Compile and run a temporary program in a disposable directory:

test_dir="$(mktemp -d)"
cd "$test_dir"
printf '%s\n' 'public class Test { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println(Runtime.version()); } }' > Test.java
javac Test.java
java Test
cd /
rm -r "$test_dir"

Confirm that the reported feature version is 25 and that the application starts with the intended JDK path. Preview features are not required for a normal Java 25 installation; enable one only for the specific build and runtime after compatibility testing.

Update and rollback

APT-managed OpenJDK updates arrive through the configured Ubuntu repositories. Monitor security updates, confirm service restart requirements, and test the workload after an update.

For a vendor archive, track the vendor's security releases and repeat the checksum/signature-verified installation into a new versioned directory. Switch the service or alternative only after the new build passes its smoke and application tests.

To roll back, restore the previous service path or choose the previous matching java and javac alternatives. Do not delete the previous JDK until the application, scheduled jobs, monitoring, and restart path have passed verification.

Troubleshooting

APT cannot locate `openjdk-25-jdk`

Confirm the Ubuntu release and repository components, run sudo apt-get update, and inspect apt-cache policy openjdk-25-jdk. If no candidate exists for the release or architecture, use Method 2 rather than adding an unverified repository.

The wrong Java version runs

Compare command -v java, readlink -f "$(command -v java)", update-alternatives --display java, the service's environment, and its actual process command. Interactive shells and system services can use different PATH or JAVA_HOME values.

`java` and `javac` report different versions

Select matching alternatives or configure the application to use one explicit JDK directory. Rebuild classes compiled for the wrong target where necessary.

The application fails after switching

Restore the previous JDK path first. Review application compatibility, JVM options, removed modules, dependencies, and service logs before retrying. A successful java -version check does not prove the application supports Java 25.

Java 25 source and support lifecycle

OpenJDK's JDK 25 project page identifies Java 25 as an LTS release. The support period, update channel, binaries, and commercial terms depend on the distribution or vendor. Record that choice in the server's software inventory and review it before the selected lifecycle ends.

About the author

Peter French

Peter French is the Managing Director at Virtarix, with over 17 years in the tech industry spanning cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and data protection.

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