Download Python directly from the official website

Python comes pre-installed on every Mac, but the built-in version is often outdated and limited. To get the current version with full features, go to python.org, click the yellow "Download" button on the homepage, and you'll get the latest stable release for Mac automatically.

The download is about 30 to 50 MB depending on the version. Once the installer file (named something like python-3.x.x-macos11.pkg) finishes downloading, double-click it to start the installation wizard. The installer will walk you through a few screens asking where to install Python and whether to install additional tools — the default choices work for most people.

If you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or newer), make sure the download page shows "macOS 64-bit universal2 installer" — that's the version built for your hardware. Intel-based Macs need the "macOS 64-bit universal2 installer" as well, which works on both types.

Key Takeaways

  • The official Python installer from python.org is the most straightforward way to get Python on your Mac and includes all standard tools you'll need.
  • After installation finishes, open Terminal and type python3 --version to confirm Python installed correctly and see which version you have.
  • The pre-installed Python on your Mac is usually outdated; downloading a fresh copy from python.org gives you the latest features and security updates.
  • If you plan to install many Python packages or work on multiple projects, Homebrew or a package manager like Anaconda may be easier to manage later.

Verify the installation worked

After the installer finishes and closes, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter). Type python3 --version and press Enter. You should see output like "Python 3.12.1" or whatever version you just installed.

If you see an older version number or an error, the installation may not have completed. Try running the installer again, or restart your Mac and try the Terminal command once more — sometimes the system needs to refresh its settings.

Understand what the installer includes

The official Python installer from python.org includes Python itself, a package manager called pip (which you'll use to download add-on libraries), and IDLE (a simple editor for writing Python code). You don't need to install anything else to start writing and running Python programs.

The installer also includes a tool called "Install Certificates.command" that handles security certificates — this runs automatically and you won't see it, but it matters if you plan to download packages from the internet using pip.

Alternative: Install Python using Homebrew

If you already use Homebrew (a package manager for Mac), you can install Python through it instead. Open Terminal and type brew install python3, then press Enter. Homebrew will download and install Python automatically.

This method is useful if you manage multiple programming tools on your Mac or want updates to happen automatically. However, if you're just starting out, the official installer from python.org is simpler and requires fewer steps.

Alternative: Install Anaconda for data science work

Anaconda is a distribution of Python that bundles Python with hundreds of pre-installed libraries for data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing. If you know you'll be working with data, Anaconda can save you time because you won't have to install those libraries one by one using pip.

Download Anaconda from anaconda.com, choose the Mac installer, and run it like you would the official Python installer. Anaconda takes up more disk space (around 3 GB) than a basic Python installation, so only use it if you need the extra libraries.

Troubleshoot common installation problems

If the installer won't open, your Mac may have blocked it for security reasons. Right-click the installer file, select "Open", and click "Open" again in the dialog that appears — this tells your Mac you trust the file. If that doesn't work, go to System Settings, click "Privacy & Security", scroll down to "Security", and look for a message about the Python installer; click "Allow" if you see one.

If Terminal says "python3: command not found" after installation, the installer may not have completed properly. Restart your Mac and try the Terminal command again. If the problem persists, download the installer a second time and run it.

If you see "python3 is a directory" or a similar error, you may have an old or corrupted installation. Contact the Python community forums or check the troubleshooting section of python.org for your specific Mac model and macOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the built-in Python before installing a new version?

No. The official Python installer from python.org installs to a separate location and doesn't touch the built-in version. You can have both on your Mac without problems. The built-in Python stays in place for system tools that depend on it.

What's the difference between python and python3?

Python 2 is an older version that stopped receiving updates in 2020. Python 3 is the current version and what you should install. When you type python3 in Terminal, you're telling your Mac to use Python 3 specifically. The built-in Python on older Macs is often Python 2, which is why you need to download Python 3 separately.

Can I have multiple versions of Python installed at the same time?

Yes. You can install Python 3.11, Python 3.12, and other versions all on the same Mac. In Terminal, you specify which one you want by typing python3.11 or python3.12. Most people only need one current version, though.

Do I need to pay for Python?

No. Python is free and open-source. The official installer from python.org costs nothing, and so do Homebrew and Anaconda. You can download and use Python without paying.

What do I do after Python is installed?

You can start writing Python code right away. Open Terminal, type python3, and press Enter to start the interactive Python shell where you can type commands. To write longer programs, use a text editor like Visual Studio Code or the IDLE editor that came with Python, save your code as a .py file, and run it from Terminal using python3 filename.py.