Ever imagined building a new personal website, automating tasks, and completing data science or AI projects with the help of Python on your Mac? Well, the first step would be to install Python properly on your computer. Although Mac already comes with Python installed, but with an older version, which is Python 2.7. With that outdated version, modern development is not possible.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to install Python version 3 on macOS with two different methods, i-e, Homebrew or official Python installer. By the end, you’ll have Python and pip (Python’s package manager) to start your Python tasks.
Reasons to Install Python 3 on Your macOS
Older versions of Mac have Python (Python 2.7) installed by default. But now macOS recent versions like Catalina and later, no longer provide installed Python. So, in case you are upgrading or installing Python on your new Mac, the following are the reasons why you should install Python 3:
- Python 2 is outdated and no more support updates and lacks security
- Python 3 provides modern frameworks like Flask, Django, and pandas
- It provides improved tooling and advanced features
- Python 2 is no longer future-proof
Whether you are writing Python scripts, building data science and machine learning projects, or planning to hire Python developers, it is important to install Python 3 on your system.
There are two methods with the help of which you can install Python on your Mac. Let’s review both of them.
Method 1: Use the Official Python Installer
It is suggested by experts to use this method if you are a beginner because it allows direct installation, without manual handling of dependencies. Follow the below mentioned steps:
Step 01- Open the Official Python Website
Open python.org/downloads in your web browser and open the downloads tab.
Step 02- Get the macOS Installer
In the downloads tab, you’ll see the “Download Python 3.12.x for macOS” option. Click that. Which will lead to downloading a .pkg file, which is the installer for Python on Mac.
Step 03- Install Python via the Installer
Open the .pkg file and follow the installer instructions to complete the process. Once you complete this step, Python and pip are installed on your system.
Step 04- Verify Installation Using Terminal
To check if Python is installed, open Terminal on your Mac (by simply searching for it in the Spotlight). In Terminal, type this code: python3 –version. If that is installed correctly, you’ll see something like Python 3.12.x, which means Python is ready to use.
Step 05- Check and Use pip
Pip is the package manager for Python, which means that with its help it you can download Python libraries and tools. It is downloaded by default with Python; however, it is important to check it after downloading Python. You can use code like pip3 –version, and when you get results like pip 23.2.x from … shows pip is working fine.
Step 06- Install a Code Editor (Optional)
There are a lot of options for code editors, such as VS Code, Sublime Text, or PyCharm, to make editing, writing, and testing in Python easier.
In case you are not sure and compare different technology stacks like Python vs Java for your project, it’s better to review your goals. Python is a good option for rapid development, AI, and automation projects. And if you need any help, plan to hire Python developers to get their expertise.
Method 2: Install Python Using Homebrew
If you are a developer who already knows how to use Homebrew, this method is for you. It is advised to use this because the process is simpler and more precise.
Step 01- Set up Homebrew
If you want to install Homebrew, open Terminal and enter the following command:
/bin/bash -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)”
It’s installed; you can verify it by entering brew –version.
Step 02- Install Python Using Homebrew
The next step is to install Python 3 with the help of Homebrew. You simply enter:
Brew install python
Step 03- Check the Python Version
To double-check that Python 3.12.2 is installed, give the command:
python3 –version
This confirms that Python version 3 is installed correctly and is available for use on Mac.
Step 04- Verify pip Installation
Also, in this method, verifying pip alongside Python is important too. You can check it by writing pip3 –version. Now you have access to download Python libraries and tools with the help of pip.
Run a Simple Python Script
To check that Python will work accurately, you must run your first Python script. Follow these steps:
- Write a Test Script
Open terminal and enter:
nano hello.py
This will open a text editor in the terminal. Next is to enter this code:
print(“Hello, Python on Mac!”)
To save and exit, enter Control + X, Y, and Enter.
- Run It in Terminal
In the same window, insert:
python3 hello.py
Result should be like this:
Hello, Python on Mac!
It means you have successfully installed Python on your Mac and run your first script. Expert development agencies like Bizmia also use these methods to build scalable projects with Python and provide setup for their development teams.
Quick Fixes for Common Python Setup Errors
These methods seem simple, but once you get into them, there might be the possibility that some issues come up. So, here are the solutions to solve these errors effortlessly:
- If an error like python3: command not found comes up, you can solve it by restarting your Mac or reopening Terminal. If still not resolved, use an alternative method.
- In case the pip3: command not found error arises, try to reinstall Python or check PATH settings again.
- Pip rejected the permission, resolved it by using — user flag.
If you are still not able to install Python on your Mac or need professional deployment of a project, it is better to hire dedicated Python developers. They will guide you and solve your problem.
Conclusion
Installing Python 3 on Mac is a smooth process when you follow the right guide. Either using Homebrew or an official Python installer, in the end, you’ll have pip and Python. However, it is important to verify the whole process by running the Python script in it and checking the pip installation at the end of each method. Additionally, setting up code editors is also notable to build modern Python projects.