Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed "Resolute Raccoon," is set to adopt OpenJDK 25 as its default Java version. This change is significant because OpenJDK 25 is a long-term support release and offers various improvements in features and performance for developers compared to OpenJDK 21, which was the default in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS through 25.10.
In Ubuntu, Java is not included by default, but users can install it through default-jdk or default-jre, which will reference the latest version approved by Canonical. For Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, that version will be OpenJDK 25.
The new OpenJDK version brings enhancements such as improved memory efficiency, better garbage collection, and quick start capabilities through ahead-of-time profiling. It also stabilizes several language features that have been in development for a while.
Canonical’s engineers have been actively testing OpenJDK 25 to address a few build failures associated with dependent packages. As it stands, new packages are being uploaded to the proposed repository. If everything proceeds smoothly, OpenJDK 25 will be accessible to all users when Ubuntu 26.04 LTS launches on April 23, 2026. Users who prefer to remain on OpenJDK 21 will still have the option to install it from the repositories.