Oracle Support for JavaFX on Java 8 Ends in March 2025

Keep your apps alive – here’s everything you need to know now!

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What you should know

Will my JavaFX application stop working on Oracle JDK 8 in March 2025? 

Oracle will end support for JavaFX in JDK 8 in March 2025 and stop providing Java 8 builds with OpenJFX included. This means that from the first security updates in April onward, Oracle JDK 8 will no longer be available with included JavaFX.  

This will impact all use cases where Java 8 applications are used with the Oracle runtime, which needs JavaFX. This applies to desktop applications with a user interface, server-side image handling, infotainment applications in cars and planes, set-top boxes, etc.  

This brings several risks: 

  • Your CI/CD builds will fail as new Oracle JDK 8 versions no longer support JavaFX. 
  • You can’t fix these failing builds as JavaFX 8 is no longer maintained as an open-source project, and no separate downloads are available. 
  • If you decide to stick to the latest released Oracle Java 8 package with JavaFX, your system will become vulnerable to CVEs, as no new releases with fixes will become available. The same applies to bug fixes in Java and JavaFX for that version. 

Can I install an external JavaFX library on top of (Oracle) Java 8? 

You can’t fix these failing builds of newer versions of Oracle Java 8 as JavaFX 8 is no longer maintained as an open-source project, and no separate downloads are available. 

Oracle JDK 8 stopped working with JavaFX. What options are there? 

  1.  Stop upgrading your Java 8 application (not recommended) 
  2.  Upgrade your code to a newer Java version (17 or later) and use the free JavaFX runtime (viable but risky as it may require changes to the application stack)
  3.  The easiest solution is switching to Azul Platform Core, which provides a drop-in replacement for JavaFX on Oracle Java 8. 

Where can I get support for JavaFX for Java 8 after March 2025? 

Azul is one of the few vendors of commercially supported OpenJDK distributions that still provides builds of Java 8 with JavaFX included, ensuring the combined OpenJDK and OpenJFX are fully compatible. 

What should I do to keep my application running on Oracle JDK 8 after March 2025? 

Upgrade your code to a newer Java version and use the free JavaFX runtime (17+) or switch to a commercially supported distribution of OpenJDK 8 that bundles a fully compatible version of OpenJFX, such as Azul Platform Core. 

Here are your options

Option 1

Stay on Oracle JDK 8u441— the last version with JavaFX support

You can stop upgrading your Java 8 systems and stick to the latest release of Oracle Java 8 with JavaFX. However, this opens up your organization to security hacks and risks. 

Option 2

Upgrade to a newer Java and JavaFX version

Upgrade your code to a newer Java version and use the free JavaFX runtime (17+). This brings additional benefits like improved performance, new Java features, APIs and more. However, it also carries many functional regression risks, and you may need to change your application code and review and test your entire code base and runtime environment. 

Option 3

Explore alternatives like Azul, which offers a drop-in replacement for Oracle JDK 8 with JavaFX

The easiest solution is switching to another OpenJDK distribution that provides a supported build of OpenJDK 8 with JavaFX included. It should support all features, including WebKit, multimedia, and others. Azul Platform Core provides such a build of OpenJDK 8 with JavaFX included.
As a result, you can use your code and compiled applications as-is.