May 17, 2020

Installing python3 on macOS using Homebrew (don't use the system version)

I recommend avoiding the version of python that comes preinstalled on macOS for the following reasons:

  • It is not the latest version
  • Older releases of macOS do not have python3
  • Adding packages / libraries may break system functionality
  • Separation of development vs. system

One of the easiest ways to install and manage the latest version of python3, and other software, is to use the Homebrew package manager.

Install Homebrew:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)"

Install python3:

brew install python3

Validate python3 is working:

jemurray@jasons-mbp ~ % /usr/local/bin/python3
Python 3.7.7 (default, Mar 10 2020, 15:43:33)
[Clang 11.0.0 (clang-1100.0.33.17)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> print("Hello world!")
Hello world!
>>>