Why doesn't Mockito mock static methods?

I think the reason may be that mock object libraries typically create mocks by dynamically creating classes at runtime (using cglib). This means they either implement an interface at runtime (that's what EasyMock does if I'm not mistaken), or they inherit from the class to mock (that's what Mockito does if I'm not mistaken). Both approaches do not work for static members, since you can't override them using inheritance.

The only way to mock statics is to modify a class' byte code at runtime, which I suppose is a little more involved than inheritance.

That's my guess at it, for what it's worth...

If you need to mock a static method, it is a strong indicator for a bad design. Usually, you mock the dependency of your class-under-test. If your class-under-test refers to a static method - like java.util.Math#sin for example - it means the class-under-test needs exactly this implementation (of accuracy vs. speed for example). If you want to abstract from a concrete sinus implementation you probably need an Interface (you see where this is going to)?

Mockito [3.4.0] can mock static methods!

1. Replace mockito-core dependency with mockito-inline:3.4.0.

2. Class with static method:

   class Buddy {
     static String name() {
       return "John";
     }
   }
   

3. Use new method Mockito.mockStatic():

   @Test
   void lookMomICanMockStaticMethods() {
     assertThat(Buddy.name()).isEqualTo("John");
   
     try (MockedStatic<Buddy> theMock = Mockito.mockStatic(Buddy.class)) {
       theMock.when(Buddy::name).thenReturn("Rafael");
       assertThat(Buddy.name()).isEqualTo("Rafael");
     }
   
     assertThat(Buddy.name()).isEqualTo("John");
   }
   

   Mockito replaces the static method within the try block only.