Convert .jar to an OSX executable?

Question

I made a Java application which I would like to distribute on Windows, OSX and Linux without distributing a jar file. I used the great Windows exe wrapper http://launch4j.sourceforge.net/ to create an .exe file complete with my icon that won't scare Windows users.

Are there similar wrappers that I can use for OSX/Unix? An important consideration is that I would like to have my own icon on the executable (especially for mac users).

Thanks!

Modern tooling: [*JEP 282: jlink: The Java Linker*](https://openjdk.org/jeps/282) and [*JEP 392: Packaging Tool*](https://openjdk.org/jeps/392). Learn the [*Java Platform Module System*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Platform_Module_System) — Basil Bourque, Mar 30 '23 at 19:56

Michael Aaron Safyan · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-29T05:37:16.543

30

Yes, on Mac OS X there is a program called Jar Bundler that is installed when you install the free (assuming that you already own a copy of Mac OS X) Xcode Developer Tools that allows you to bundle a JAR file inside a native Mac OS X "*.app" application bundle with a nice and shiny icon just like other apps.

Update
The JAR bundler doesn't exist on later versions of OS X. As a workaround, you can manually create an OS X project that invokes Java. Or, there are a variety of build system extensions that do a similar thing; for example, the gradle-macappbundle plugin for Gradle will create such a wrapper app.

edited Jul 29 '15 at 05:37

answered Apr 22 '10 at 23:31

Michael Aaron Safyan

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The Jar Bundler isn't part of Xcode Develoer tools since Lion 10.8.2 (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/15375490/why-is-jar-bundler-gone-in-mac-os-x-mountain-lion-10-8-2) – gardenofwine May 17 '15 at 11:31
Is there a gradle way of making the windows exe installer? I.e. is there a windows analog of the macAppBundle plugin for gradle? – hepcat72 May 22 '17 at 22:09

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered May 25 '16 at 11:29

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JarBundler is obsolete, but there is a (better) official replacement: the javapackager tool.

For OSX, A simple, well explained, step by step tutorial on how to create a DMG from java is here: http://centerkey.com/mac/java/ . For other platforms, you just need to modify the example by using the proper switches in javapackager.

answered May 25 '16 at 11:29

Marco

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Looks like javapackager is bundling JRE with the package. Is it possible to exclude JRE? – kaptan Mar 30 '21 at 00:04
I think leaving out the JRE would be a bad idea. You do not know whether the target machine has a JRE, and if it does it could be incompatible with the java version needed by the packaged java app. – Marco Apr 05 '21 at 08:36

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 23 '10 at 00:55

If you do not have a Mac to build this on (or want to integrate it into an existing build chain), you might want to have a look at the OS X Application Bundle Plugin for Maven.

This will (if run on Linux or Windows) create a zip that will unzip as a proper Mac application. If you run Maven on a Mac, it can also make a DMG.

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 09 '17 at 08:28

3

Github user Jorl17 made an excellent Python script called jar2app that does this with one simple command. It even lets you customize the app icon.

https://github.com/Jorl17/jar2app

Just install it, follow the instructions, and you get the .app file.

answered Sep 09 '17 at 08:28

Kiran

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Works right out of the box without any bump. Thanks :) – Saravanabalagi Ramachandran Apr 14 '20 at 14:36
Cant install that any suggestions on how to? followed the steps but still, cant do it – HARSHA sss Sep 29 '20 at 10:59

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 09 '12 at 23:06

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You can also package your application with the JarBundler Ant task:

http://informagen.com/JarBundler

<jarbundler dir="release"
        name="MyApp"
        mainclass="org.foo.myapp.Main" 
        jar="myapp.jar" />

answered Feb 09 '12 at 23:06

Emmanuel Bourg

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Convert .jar to an OSX executable?

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