Install Python on macOS

Python tutorial · PySpark.in

Method 1 – Install Python using Official Installer

Step 1: Check if Python is already installed

Open Terminal:

Press cmd+space
Type Terminal->press Enter

In Terminal run:

python3 --version

If you see something like:

python3.11.8

Python 3 is already installed.

If you see “command not found” or a very old version, follow the steps below.

Step 2: Download Python from the official website

Open Safari or Chrome
Go to: python.org
Click on Downloads → Python 3.x.x for macOS
This will download a file like:
python-3.xx.x-macosx.pkg

Step 3: Run the installer

Open your Downloads folder
Double-click the .pkg file
A setup wizard opens. Follow these steps:
- Click Continue
- Read and click Agree on license
- Click Install
- Enter your Mac password if asked
- Wait for installation to finish
At the end, you’ll see “Installation was successful”

Step 4: Verify Python installation

Open Terminal again and run:

python3 --version
You should see:
Python 3.x.x
Now check pip (Python’s package manager):
pip3 --version

If you see a version, you’re ready to install packages.

Method 2 – Install Python using Homebrew (For Developers)

If you use Homebrew (or want to), this method is clean and dev-friendly.

Step 2: Install Homebrew (if not installed)

In Terminal, run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Follow on-screen instructions.
Once done, run:
brew --version

to confirm Homebrew is installed.

Step 3: Install Python with Homebrew

brew install python
Wait for the installation to finish.

Step 4: Verify Python

python3 --version
pip3 --version

Step 5: Make sure the correct Python is used

Sometimes macOS has an old system Python (/usr/bin/python).
To always use Python 3, use python3 and pip3 in commands.

Example:

python3 my_script.py
pip3 install numpy

Don’t try to remove the system Python. macOS needs it.

Step 6: Run your first Python program on Mac

Option 1: Run code directly in Terminal

In Terminal, type:

python3
You’ll see something like:
Python 3.x.x (default, ...)

>>>

Now type:

print("Hello from macOS!")
Press Enter → you’ll see:
Hello from macOS!
Exit Python shell:
exit()
or press Ctrl + D.

Option 2: Run a .py file

Create a file using TextEdit or VS Code or any editor.
Save it as hello_mac.py (plain text, not rich text).

Put this inside:

name = "Vishal"
print("Hello,", name, "from macOS!")
Now run in Terminal:
cd /path/to/your/file
python3 hello_mac.py

Output:

Hello, Vishal, from macOS!

Step 7: Install useful Python packages

Use pip3 to install libraries:

pip3 install numpy pandas matplotlib
Check installed packages:
pip3 list

Note:

Step	What to do	Command / Action
1	Open Terminal	Command + Space → “Terminal”
2	Check Python	python3 --version
3	Install via official installer	Download from python.org & run .pkg
4	Verify pip	pip3 --version
5	Run script	python3 hello_mac.py
6	Install packages	pip3 install numpy pandas