How to Switch Python to Version 3.12 on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Python is continually evolving, and the recent release of Python 3.12 comes with exciting features and significant improvements. As a developer, keeping your tools up-to-date is crucial to leveraging these advancements and maintaining a competitive edge. If you’re a Mac user looking to switch to Python 3.12, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring that you can seamlessly transition to the latest version.

This transition is particularly important not only for taking advantage of the new language features but also for improving performance, enhancing security, and accessing updated libraries. In this article, we’ll cover the different methods to install Python 3.12 on your Mac, manage multiple Python versions, and set Python 3.12 as your default version.

By the end of this guide, you will be equipped with the knowledge to successfully switch to Python 3.12 and optimize your development workflow. Whether you’re a beginner trying to get started with the latest version or an experienced developer aiming to refine your skills, this guide aims to cater to your needs.

Checking Your Current Python Version

Before we dive into the installation process, it’s crucial to know which version of Python you currently have installed on your Mac. To check this, you will use the Terminal, a built-in command-line interface that allows you to execute commands on your Mac.

Open the Terminal app, which you can find in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder or by using Spotlight (Command + Space and type ‘Terminal’). Once the Terminal window is open, type the following command:

python3 --version

Press Enter. This command will display the current version of Python installed on your Mac. If you’re already using Python 3 but not the latest 3.12 version, it’s definitely time to upgrade.

In cases where Python is not yet installed, you will see a message that says ‘command not found’. If that’s the case, don’t worry! You can easily install Python 3.12 by following the steps outlined in the next section.

Installing Python 3.12

There are a few different methods to install Python 3.12 on your Mac, including using the official Python installer, Homebrew, or pyenv. In this section, we’ll cover these three widely-used methods step-by-step.

Method 1: Using the Official Python Installer

The easiest way to install Python 3.12 is to download it directly from the official Python website. Here’s how you can do that:

Visit the Python 3.12 download page.
Click on the macOS installer package for Python 3.12. It usually comes in a .pkg format.
Once the download is complete, locate the .pkg file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to start the installation process.
Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the installation. Make sure you enable the option to ‘Add Python to PATH’ during the installation.

After the installation is complete, you can verify it by opening the Terminal and running:

python3.12 --version

You should see the version displayed confirming a successful installation.

Method 2: Using Homebrew

Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS that allows you to install software packages easily. If you haven’t installed Homebrew yet, you can do so by running the following command in the Terminal:

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

Once Homebrew is installed, you can install Python 3.12 by running:

brew install [email protected]

Homebrew will handle all the dependencies for you. After the installation is complete, you can confirm the installation by running:

python3.12 --version

This approach is particularly useful because Homebrew automatically updates the versions of Python when new releases are available.

Method 3: Using pyenv

If you need to manage multiple Python versions, pyenv is an excellent tool for that purpose. This method allows you to switch between different Python versions as needed. If you don’t have pyenv installed, you can do so using Homebrew:

brew install pyenv

After installing pyenv, add the following lines to your shell configuration file (~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc depending on your shell):

export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"
 eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
 eval "$(pyenv init -)"

Once that’s done, you can load the new configuration by running:

source ~/.bash_profile

Now, install Python 3.12 using pyenv:

pyenv install 3.12.0

After the installation, set Python 3.12 as your global version with:

pyenv global 3.12.0

Confirm the installation by running:

python --version

Switching the Default Python Version

Once you have installed Python 3.12, you might want to make it your default version when you type ‘python’ in the Terminal. The steps for doing so may vary based on whether you installed Python via the official installer or using a version manager like Homebrew or pyenv.

Setting Default Version via Terminal

If you installed Python via the official installer, you can typically set the default version by creating an alias in your shell configuration file:

echo 'alias python=