$ cordova build android –release
When JAVA_HOME
points to old C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_261
- I get:
Android Gradle plugin requires Java 11 to run. You are currently using Java 1.8.
When JAVA_HOME
points to new C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17.0.2
- I get:
Requirements check failed for JDK 8 ('1.8.*')! Detected version: 17.0.2
How do I solve this?

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2 Answers
You should download the latest version

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But jdk-17.0.2 IS the latest version... – Free Bud Feb 07 '22 at 12:42
Older versions of cordova-android required Java 8, which was requirements from the parts & versions of Android SDK cordova used. There is a Android SDK / cordova-android version mismatch in your environment.
As of cordova-android@10 (current version at the time of writing), the Java 8 restriction was opened up to allow Java 11 as cordova-android was updated to use more modern versions of the Android SDK which consequentially requires Java 11.
Requirements check failed for JDK 8 ('1.8.*')
Not sure which cordova-android version you're running but this error definitely means you aren't running cordova-android@10, so I'd suggest to update the cordova-android platform.
cordova platform remove android
cordova platform add android@10
I'd also suggest ensuring you're running cordova cli verison 10 or later as well. (Checkable via cordova -v
)

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1Thanks. I noticed cordova 11 released recently (https://cordova.apache.org/news/2021/12/21/cordova-cli-11.0.0-release.html) - Isn't it better to go directly for this? – Free Bud Feb 09 '22 at 11:00
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Ideally yes. cordova cli 11 actually pins cordova-android 10 by default (that is if you don't specify the version it will install version 10 of cordova-android) – Norman Breau Feb 09 '22 at 15:37
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Sorry for my ignorance: Is there a difference between npm uninstall/install and cordova platform remove/add? I did the former and still getting the "Requirements check failed for JDK 8"... – Free Bud Feb 09 '22 at 18:56
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Yes. npm install/uninstall simply adds/removes the packages from your node_modules. the cordova command actually manages the cordova project. cordova uses NPM behind the scenes to add/remove packages. – Norman Breau Feb 09 '22 at 20:48
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Well, after the cordova platform remove/add - the java error has gone. I have a different error now though, but that's for a different question. Thanks! – Free Bud Feb 10 '22 at 07:32
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It appears that following the cordova platform remove/add - the platforms\android\gradle folder has gone. My new problem seems to be related to this: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/58293436/could-not-compile-settings-gradle-react-native – Free Bud Feb 10 '22 at 07:46