--- title: "Install Python on macOS and Jumpstart your Programming" description: "Learn how to get started with programming and automation and install Python on macOS in this ATA Learning tutorial!" canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/install-python-on-macos/" --- # Install Python on macOS and Jumpstart your Programming > Learn how to get started with programming and automation and install Python on macOS in this ATA Learning tutorial! Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/install-python-on-macos/ --- ATA Learning Tap to hide [ ATA Learning ](/) * [Home](/) * [Tutorials](/tutorials/) * [Instructors](/author/) * [Advertising](/advertising/) * [Recommended Resources](/resources/) * [About Adam](/about-adam/) Search for: * [](https://twitter.com/adbertram) * [](https://github.com/Adam-the-Automator) * [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-the-automator-llc) * [](/feed/) ![Get Started with Programming and Install Python on macOS](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/install-python-macos.jpg) # Get Started with Programming and Install Python on macOS [![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1bc5e1d52466fc3739f550c8d78be310684747bf1466a98d698320627ea243e2?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Michael Nguyen Tu](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/michael-nguyen-tu/)22 August 20234 min. read Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/) Tags:[macOS](/tag/macos/)[Python](/tag/python/) Table of Contents * [Enforcing Homebrew to Install Python on macOS](#enforcing-homebrew-to-install-python-on-macos) * [Installing Python on macOS via the Official Installer](#installing-python-on-macos-via-the-official-installer) * [Installing the PIP Package Manager](#installing-the-pip-package-manager) * [Testing the Python Installation](#testing-the-python-installation) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) In this digital age, having access to a powerful programming language like Python is essential for unleashing your creativity in development. Python allows users to interpret statements in several operating systems (OSes), but how do you install Python on macOS devices? In this tutorial, you will learn two ways to install Python on macOS, so you can later delve into building websites, machine learning, and software testing. Related:[How to Use Python to Load Test Websites](https://adamtheautomator.com/load-test/) Keep reading to take your project to new heights with Python! This tutorial comprises hands-on demonstrations. Ensure you have the following in place to follow along with this tutorial: * A device running macOS 10.8 or later – This tutorial uses a Mac computer running macOS 11.7 (Big Sur). * [Homebrew](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-homebrew/) installed on your macOS device. Related:[How to Install Homebrew on macOS](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-homebrew/) ## Enforcing Homebrew to Install Python on macOS The quickest way to install Python on your macOS device is via Homebrew, a popular package manager. Homebrew simplifies the installation and management of various software packages, including Python. To install Python on your macOS device via Homebrew, follow these steps: 1\. Open your terminal, and run the below [`brew`](https://brew.sh/) command to `update` Homebrew. This command fetches the latest information about available software packages and their versions. ```bash brew update ``` ![install python on macos - Updating Homebrew](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-198.png) Updating Homebrew 2\. Next, execute the following command to `install` `python` on your device. ```bash brew install python ``` ![Installing Python on your device](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-197.png) Installing Python on your device 3\. Lastly, run the following `python3` command to verify that Python is installed on your device. ```bash python3 --version ``` You will see the currently installed Python version number (**3.11.4**) on your macOS device. ![Checking the installed Python version](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-196.png) Checking the installed Python version ## Installing Python on macOS via the Official Installer If you would rather not install Python via Homebrew, that is fine; not all people like to use Homebrew. But worry not. Another way you can install Python on your macOS device is via the official installer from the Python website. Installing via the official installer is slightly more complicated and requires you to go through multiple steps. But on a good note, this method allows you always to get the latest version of Python, and take advantage of the latest features, improvements, and security updates. 1\. Open your favorite web browser, and visit the official [Python download page](https://www.python.org/downloads/macos/) for macOS. 2\. Next, locate the latest version of Python 3, which, at this time of writing, is **Python 3.12.0rc1,** and click the download link under it to download the installer. ![Downloading the latest Python installer from the official Python download page](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-210.png) Downloading the latest Python installer from the official Python download page 3\. Once the download completes, double-click on the installer to initialize the installation process. 4\. Now, click **Continue** in the installer window to continue with the installation. ![Continuing with the Python installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-209.png) Continuing with the Python installation 5\. Read the displayed information and click **Continue** to continue. ![](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-208.png) 6\. Read through the software license agreement, and click **Continue**. ![Reading the software license agreement](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-207.png) Reading the software license agreement 7\. When prompted, click **Agree** to accept the software license agreement and continue with the installation. ![Accepting the software license agreement](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-206.png) Accepting the software license agreement 8\. Next, click **Continue** to perform installing Python on your macOS device. If you are wondering, you cannot select the installation destination, as it will automatically be installed by default. ![Installing Python via the official installer](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-205.png) Installing Python via the official installer 9\. Provide your user password when prompted, and click **Install Software** to authenticate the installation. ![Providing credentials to authenticate the Python installation ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-203.png) Providing credentials to authenticate the Python installation Wait for the installation to complete. ![Waiting for the installation to complete](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-202.png) Waiting for the installation to complete 10\. Once the installation completes, click **Close** to finalize and close the installer. At this point, you have successfully installed the latest version of Python on your macOS device. ![Once the installation completes, click Close to close the installer](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-201.png) Once the installation completes, click **Close** to close the installer 11\. Open the **Application** folder, and you will see the newly-installed Python application. ![Viewing the newly-installed Python application](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-200.png) Viewing the newly-installed Python application 12\. Ultimately, run the below command in your terminal to check the version of Python installed on your macOS device. ```bash python3 --version ``` ![Checking the installed Python version](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-199.png) Checking the installed Python version ## Installing the PIP Package Manager Although Python comes with many useful packages for development, you may want to install additional ones, like the PIP package manager. PIP allows you to seamlessly install and manage various additional packages to enhance your development environment. 1\. Execute the following `python3` command to install your system’s PIP package manager (`ensurepip`). ```bash python3 -m ensurepip ``` ![Installing the PIP package manager](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-213.png) Installing the PIP package manager 2\. Next, run the below command to `--upgrade` PIP (`ensurepip`) to the latest version ```bash python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade ``` ![Upgrading PIP to the latest version](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-212.png) Upgrading PIP to the latest version 3\. Now, run the `pip3` command below and check the installed PIP version on your system. ```bash pip3 --version ``` The latest version at this time of writing is **pip 23.2.1**, as shown below. ![Checking the installed PIP version](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-211.png) Checking the installed PIP version ## Testing the Python Installation With Python wholly installed on your system, how do you check your Python installation works correctly? The best way to test your Python installation is to run small programs. In this example, you will launch Python in interactive mode, which allows you to run Python commands and instantly observe their outcomes directly. This capability provides an efficient means to validate your installation. To test your Python installation, follow the steps below: 1\. Execute the following `python3` command, without any parameters or options, to initiate the Python interpreter in interactive mode. ```bash python3 ``` You will see your prompt changes to **\>>>**, as shown below, which indicates the interpreter is ready to accept commands. ![Initiating the Python interpreter in interactive mode](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-216.png) Initiating the Python interpreter in interactive mode 2\. Next, run the below command to `print` a `Hello world` message directly in the interactive mode. ```bash print('Hello world') ``` If everything works correctly, you will see the following output. ![Printing a message](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-215.png) Printing a message 3\. Finally, run the `exit()` command below to exit the interactive mode and return to your default command prompt. ![Exiting the interactive mode](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-214.png) Exiting the interactive mode ## Conclusion This tutorial has guided you through installing Python on your macOS device. You have also tested your installation works by launching Python in interactive mode and printing a simple message. What you have seen in this tutorial is just the tip of the iceberg. Python is cable of doing much more as it supports program modularity and code reuse. Python has become enticing for Rapid Application Development as a high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. Now, why not explore more of Python’s prowess? Perhaps start [running Python scripts](https://realpython.com/run-python-scripts/) with Python and feel its automation power first-hand? 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