Macaranga rhizinoides is a large tree that is thought to be endemic to Java western Indonesia, however, several collections from North and West Sumatra require further investigation. It occurs at elevations of c. 350–2,400 m asl and has been observed in both primary lowland and montane forest, as well as highly disturbed sites and agroforestry schemes. Based on presumably extant localities, it has a known extent of occurrence (EOO) of c. 20,356 km², just exceeding the threshold value for threatened categories under criterion B1, and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 44 km², falling within the threshold values for the Endangered category under criteria B2 category. While it has likely been extirpated from some parts of its range due to historic habitat loss, its occurrence in highly disturbed sites suggests it is more widespread than current collections indicate. While it is likely more populous than current collections indicate, its current population size and trend cannot be identified with accuracy. It is unknown whether it is severely fragmented or subject to extreme fluctuations. While it occurs in secondary and highly disturbed habitats, the current rates of habitat loss and degradation are likely unsustainable. It is inferred to be undergoing a continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of its habitat driven primarily by small-scale agriculture across its range. It is also threatened by targeted harvesting for timber. Further research on its distribution, population size and dynamics are recommended. With a restricted AOO, and continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat, it is close to qualifying as Vulnerable B2ab(iii); taking a precautionary approach, it is assessed as Near Threatened B2b(iii).

Macaranga rhizinoides occurs across Java at elevations of c. 350–2,400 m asl (Backer and Bakhuizen van Der Brink 1963, Satyanti and Kusuma 2010, POWO 2023). There have also been several collections from West and North Sumatra, however, these are outside the consensus view of the species' range (POWO 2023) and require further confirmation. There have also been reports from Brunei, Sabah and Sulawesi, however these are likely erroneous and not considered in the assessment. Based on confirmed and presumably extant occurrences, it has an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of c. 20,356 km², an area of occupancy (AOO) of 44 km², and occurs at more than 10 locations. While it suspected to have been extirpated from some parts of its range, it often occurs in area of high disturbance and within agroforestry schemes (Kartawinata and Satjapradja 1983, Govaerts et al. 2000, Satyanti and Kusuma 2010). As such, the known EOO and AOO are likely an underestimate. Further research into its distribution is required.

While the species has likely been extirpated from some parts of its range due to current and historic habitat loss, Macaranga rhizinoides is a pioneer species, occurring at high frequencies even in areas of very high disturbance such as on quarried limestone karsts (Satyanti and Kusuma 2010, Putri et al. 2017). As such, it is likely more populous than current collections indicate. While several studies have provided surveyed occurrence frequencies (Arrijani 2008, Putri et al. 2017, Satyanti and Kusuma 2010, Wiharto and Mochtar 2012), these do not appear to have distinguished between immature and mature individuals. As such, population estimates using population density calculated from these sources may lead to a greatly inflated population size. Further research is required to confirm the population size and trend. The species is not known to be severely fragmented or subject to extreme fluctuations.

Macaranga rhizinoides is a large tree growing to 15–40 m tall (Backer and Bakhuizen van Der Brink 1963). While it occurs in primary forest (Arrijani 2008), it is often considered a pioneer species, being recorded from secondary forest and highly disturbed sites (Putri et al. 2017, Satyanti and Kusuma 2010).

Java experienced widespread deforestation and habitat loss during the 19^th and 20^th centuries, with lowland rainforest being especially affected (Smiet 1990). It is estimated that only c. 3% of lowland and c. 57% of montane forest remain from this historic maximum (Smiet 1990). While current rates of tree cover loss across the EOO appear to be low (Global Forest Watch 2023), this likely obscures the fact that the vast majority of available habitat outside of protected areas has already been lost, with remaining habitat being restricted to small secondary forest fragments. While the species is reportedly tolerant of disturbance (Govaerts et al. 2000, Kartawinata and Satjapradja 1983, Satyanti and Kusuma 2010), the severity and scope of ongoing habitat loss within its range is viewed as unsustainable. The drivers of this are varied, however, the most prevalent of these is small-scale agriculture (Austin et al. 2019). It is also used as a subsistence timber crop within mixed agroforestry schemes (Kartawinata and Satjapradja 1983, Chen et al. 2010). While populations within the schemes may be managed sustainably, further research is required to confirm this. Additionally, outside of these systems, it is likely threatened by targeted harvesting.

The species is cultivated and used as a subsistence timber crop within small-scale agroforestry systems (Kartawinata and Satjapradja 1983, Chen et al. 2010). Specific data on local trade of this species are lacking and further research is required to determine offtake trends.

The species is known to occur in the Gunung Halimun–Salak and Gunung Gede–Pangrango National Parks (UNEP-WCMC and IUNC 2023), with large sections of presumably suitable habitat outside these also being listed under Indonesia's Forest Moratorium (Global Forest Watch 2023). While no specific conservation measures are known to be in place, passive protection is assumed in these areas. It is held in ex situ living and genomic collections (BGCI 2023, National Center for Biotechnology Information 2023). Research into its harvest and the effect of its use in agroforestry systems on wild populations is recommended.