Oracle Java 6 can be installed on Ubuntu from Oracle’s Java Archive, but the Ubuntu method is a manual install from a self-extracting Linux binary—not an RPM installation. Oracle no longer provides public Java 6 updates, and warns that archived releases lack current security patches and are not recommended for production. Use Java 6 only when a specific legacy application requires it.
Choose the Java 6 package you need
Oracle’s Java SE 6 archive lists both JRE and JDK downloads for Linux x86 and Linux x64. Choose the package that matches your purpose and system architecture:
| Choice | Use it when |
|---|---|
| JRE | You need the Java runtime to run an application, not Java development tools. |
| JDK | You need development tools, such as the Java compiler, as well as a runtime. |
| Linux x86 | Your Ubuntu installation and hardware use the 32-bit x86 architecture. |
| Linux x64 | Your Ubuntu installation uses the 64-bit x86-64 architecture. |
Check your Ubuntu system’s architecture before choosing. The archive requires signing in to an Oracle account or creating one to download the files. Oracle labels the archived Java SE 6 downloads as covered by the Oracle Binary Code License Agreement for Java SE; review the applicable agreement for your intended use.
Install Java 6 manually on Ubuntu
Oracle’s Java SE 6 installation guide says Ubuntu is not RPM-based and directs users of non-RPM Linux distributions to use a self-extracting binary. Download the matching Linux package from Oracle’s archive, then follow that binary’s instructions to extract and install it. Do not try to install an RPM directly with Ubuntu’s package manager.
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- Confirm the requirement. Verify that the application specifically needs Java 6; if it supports a currently maintained Java release, use that release instead.
- Identify your architecture and package type. Decide whether you need a JRE or JDK, and whether your Ubuntu installation is x86 or x64.
- Sign in to Oracle and download the matching archive file. Use the Java SE 6 archive at oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-java-archive-javase6-downloads.html. Follow the instructions for the downloaded self-extracting binary.
- Check the installed Java version. In a terminal, run
java -version. If you installed the JDK and need to verify the compiler, runjavac -version. The command output should identify the Java version available to your shell.
Oracle’s guide establishes the package approach, but it does not provide a compatibility matrix for current Ubuntu releases. The precise installation prompts and behavior may vary by archived package and Ubuntu version; Oracle’s sources do not establish that a particular Java 6 installer has been tested on your Ubuntu release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand Java 6’s support and security status
Oracle says Java SE 6 public updates ended: releases through Java SE 6 Update 45 remain in the archive without further updates. Its Java 6 help page states, “Oracle no longer posts updates of Java SE 6 to its public download sites.” See Oracle’s Java 6 update guidance.
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Oracle also warns that archived JDK and JRE releases do not include the latest security patches and are not recommended for production use. Treat Java 6 as a compatibility tool for a specific legacy system, not a secure general-purpose default. If the application permits it, migrate to a current Java release with public updates and security enhancements. The archive’s status does not by itself settle what uses are permitted under its license; consult the applicable agreement for your circumstances.
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