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Object comparison using '==', instead of 'equals()'

Reports code that uses == or != rather than equals() to test for object equality.

Comparing objects using == or != is often a bug, because it compares objects by identity instead of equality. Comparisons to null are not reported.

Array, String and Number comparisons are reported by separate inspections.

Example:

if (list1 == list2) { return; }

After the quick-fix is applied:

if (Objects.equals(list1, list2)) { return; }

Locating this inspection

By ID

Can be used to locate inspection in e.g. Qodana configuration files, where you can quickly enable or disable it, or adjust its settings.

ObjectEquality
Via Settings dialog

Path to the inspection settings via IntelliJ Platform IDE Settings dialog, when you need to adjust inspection settings directly from your IDE.

Settings or Preferences | Editor | Inspections | Java | Probable bugs

Use the inspection settings to configure exceptions for this inspection.

Inspection options

Here you can find the description of settings available for the Object comparison using '==', instead of 'equals()' inspection, and the reference of their default values.

Ignore '==' between enum variables

Default value:

Selected
Ignore '==' between final class types without 'equals()' implementation

Default value:

Selected
Ignore '==' between objects of a type with only 'private' constructors

Default value:

Not selected

Suppressing Inspection

You can suppress this inspection by placing the following comment marker before the code fragment where you no longer want messages from this inspection to appear:

//noinspection ObjectEquality

More detailed instructions as well as other ways and options that you have can be found in the product documentation:

Inspection Details

By default bundled with:

IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2, Qodana for JVM 2025.2,

Last modified: 18 September 2025