Azul Zulu JDK 25

Azul Zulu JDK 25 is a distribution of OpenJDK for developers, build engineers and administrators running or compiling Java 25 applications. The JDK includes the JVM and development tools such as javac; it is a runtime/toolchain, not a visual IDE. Choose the Java major version required by your application rather than assuming every older application or plugin supports Java 25.

Installation and requirements

The exact catalog Apple Silicon DMG zulu25.36.205-ca-jdk25.0.4.1-macosx_aarch64.dmg is 225,900,075 bytes, established by the official CDN HEAD. Azul's Metadata API maps this CA build to OpenJDK 25.0.4.1+1. This is the standard JDK, not the separately named JavaFX, CRaC or JRE distribution.

The current official supported-platform table lists macOS 14+ for both Apple Silicon and Intel; use the aarch64 artifact on Apple Silicon and a separately supplied x86_64 artifact on Intel. Applications loading JNI/native libraries also need architecture-compatible dependencies. Azul does not publish one numeric minimum RAM for all JDK workloads in the checked support/install sources; heap size, compiler tasks and application libraries determine practical memory needs. Leave additional disk space for installation, projects, caches and build outputs.

Open the publisher DMG and follow its installer instructions; system-wide installation can require administrator authorization. Compare the downloaded file's SHA-256 with the publisher checksum before installing. Use /usr/libexec/java_home and JAVA_HOME/PATH to select the intended JDK when several versions are installed. Check the application’s configuration as well: changing a shell variable does not necessarily change the JVM an IDE or service launches. No separate Java runtime is needed for the JDK's own tools. Source compilation of your project may require Maven, Gradle, SDKs and other project-specific dependencies.

License and costs

Zulu CA is Azul's freely distributed OpenJDK build. OpenJDK uses GPL version 2 with the Classpath Exception; bundled third-party components retain their own notices. Azul's commercial support/subscription offerings are separate from the CA download, and using this JDK does not include premium support. Ordinary local compilation or JVM execution does not require an Azul account. Consult the current license and support lifecycle before choosing a production support arrangement.

Permissions, network and privacy

Java programs run with the permissions granted to the launching user or service and can read/write accessible files, start processes or contact networks according to their code and operating-system controls. Installing a JDK is not a sandbox for untrusted JARs. Avoid executing downloaded Java programs as administrator and grant protected-folder access only when an application actually needs it.

Downloading updates requires network access; local compilation and offline-capable applications can run without an Azul cloud account. The network behavior and privacy of a Java application, build plugin or dependency are separate from the JDK; this listing makes no blanket no-telemetry claim. Logs, heap dumps and Java Flight Recorder recordings may contain application or personal data: inspect them before sharing.

Compatibility and maintenance

Keep security updates current, test upgrades with your actual libraries and retain the prior working toolchain until migration is validated. Preview/incubator APIs and native libraries can impose additional flags or compatibility limits. Do not confuse standard JDK builds with JavaFX/CRaC packages. April's macOS bundle-directory change does not affect DMG installations, according to Azul's release notes.

Sources: Official downloads, Supported platforms, Mac installation/checksums, Metadata API, OpenJDK licensing, 25.0.4.1 patch table, July notes, April notes.