How to update Python on Mac: 3 most-used methods

I can't tell you how many times I've hit a wall with a Python script, only to discover the fix was already baked into a newer version I hadn't bothered to install. Staying current with Python isn't just good practice — it's the kind of thing that saves you hours of unnecessary debugging. 

Here's exactly how to update Python on your Mac and skip the headaches.

Ways to update Python	Best for	Time needed	Difficulty
Python.org installer	Beginners who want the official version	5 minutes	Easy
Homebrew (Terminal)	Developers who need package management	10 minutes	Moderate
Version managers (pyenv/uv)	Those juggling multiple Python versions	15 minutes	Advanced
CleanMyMac’s App Updater tool	Quick updates alongside system maintenance	2 minutes	Easy

How to check your Python version in Terminal

Older macOS versions shipped with Python 2.7 pre-installed. On modern macOS (Monterey and later), only Python 3 tools may be present, and even then only after you install the Command Line Tools. 

Here's how to check the Python version on Mac :

1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. In the Terminal window, type python3 --version or type python --version to check for Python 2 (if still installed)and press the Return key.
3. Read the output: If Python 3 is installed, you'll see output like Python 3.x.x (where x.x represents the specific version numbers). If you see Python 2.x.x, it means the default Python on your system is still version 2.

As of September 2026, Python 3.14.7 is the latest stable release (published August 5, 2026). Python 3.13.15 remains supported for those needing the previous stable branch.

Method 1: Update Python from python.org

Updating Python through its official website is a straightforward method, especially for beginners. Here's how to do it:

1. Open your web browser and go to python.org.
2. Click Downloads in the main menu. The website should detect that you're on macOS and offer the latest stable version of Python. Click the download button.
3. Once the .pkg installer file is downloaded, open it.
4. Accept the license agreement and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. After the installation is complete, open Terminal and type python3 --version to check the Python version.

The official installer handles everything automatically, including updating pip and adding Python to your PATH.

Method 2: Update Python with Terminal

This method is ideal if you want more control over the installation and configuration of Python on your Mac. It requires a package manager.

I'll show you how to update Python in Terminal with Homebrew: 

1. Open Terminal > Install Homebrew. If you don't have Homebrew installed yet, type /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" in Terminal.
2. Type brew update and press the Return key to check that Homebrew is up to date.
3. Type brew upgrade python and press the Return key to update Python to the latest version.
4. Type python3 --version to verify the Python update.

This method gives you more control over versions and makes future updates simpler.

Update Python with Taphouse (Homebrew, no commands)

Taphouse is a native Homebrew manager, so everything Method 2 does in Terminal you can do here by clicking. Open Taphouse, check the outdated list, find Python, and click Update. The live output shows the exact brew command running, so you're not losing visibility — just the typing.

Run brew upgrade python without touching Terminal. Taphouse turns Homebrew into point-and-click updates and flags outdated packages right in your menu bar. It's included in Setapp Membership, or available as a standalone app from $11.99. Try Taphouse.  

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Read also:

• Install Pip on Mac
• How to Install Jupyter Notebook on Mac
• Install Homebrew on Mac
• Uninstall Anaconda on Mac

Managing multiple Python versions

If you work on different projects requiring different Python versions, consider using a version manager. Two popular options are pyenv and uv:

• pyenv: Type brew install pyenv, then pyenv install 3.14.7 to add specific versions
• uv: Type brew install uv, then uv python install 3.14 for faster installations

Version managers let you switch between Python versions per project, avoiding compatibility headaches.

Method 3: Update and clean up Python with CleanMyMac

If you don't want to touch Terminal and just need Python bumped to a newer version fast, CleanMyMac handles it from a single window. It scans installed apps for outdated versions and lets you update them in one click (Python included), if you installed it through the python.org .pkg installer.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open CleanMyMac > My Tools > App Updater.
2. Click Scan. CleanMyMac lists everything with a newer version available.
3. Find Python in the list and click Update.

The real bonus comes after the update. Older Python installations tend to leave behind old frameworks in /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework, pip caches, and orphaned site-packages folders that quietly eat disk space. CleanMyMac's Cleanup module clears those out, which also fixes the "old version still shows" path issue mentioned in the troubleshooting section below.

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Set the new Python version as default

After updating to the latest version of Python, you'll want to set it as the default version on your Mac. This ensures your system uses the latest version for all Python commands and avoids compatibility issues with scripts and packages. Here’s how to do it: 

Here's how to do it:

1. Type which python3 in Terminal to find your new Python's installation path.
2. Edit your shell profile — type nano ~/.zshrc for macOS Tahoe (or nano ~/.bashrc for older systems).
3. Add export PATH="/usr/local/bin/python3:$PATH" at the top of the file.
4. Replace /usr/local/bin/python3 with your actual path from step 1.
5. Press Control + O, then Return to save the file.
6. Press Control + X to exit nano.
7. Type source ~/.zshrc (or source ~/.bashrc) to apply changes.
8. Confirm with python3 --version to see your new default version.

macOS versions before Monterey (12.3) shipped with Python 2.7 pre-installed. Newer macOS versions do not include Python 2 by default, but if it's still on your system, always use python3 when referring to Python 3.

Fix common Python update issues

Even with a smooth update process, you might hit a snag or two. Here's how to handle the most common ones:

• Permission denied errors: If a command fails with permission denied, check that Homebrew's directories are owned by your user: sudo chown -R $(whoami) $(brew --prefix)/*. Avoid running brew commands with sudo — it can corrupt your Homebrew installation.
• Version conflicts: Check installed versions with ls -l /usr/local/bin/python* and remove old ones if needed.
• Outdated pip: Update pip for the new Python with python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip.
• Missing packages: Reinstall packages for the new version using python3 -m pip install package-name.

Each fix takes just a minute once you know what to look for.

Why update Python on Mac?

Three key reasons to keep Python updated:

• Security: Outdated software gets vulnerable. Updates patch security holes, keeping your Python code safe. Python's security page tracks all CVE fixes by version.
• New features: Every update usually comes with new tools and libraries for better productivity. 
• Compatibility: Keeping Python current ensures it plays nicely with your Mac and other software. 

Upgrade Python on Mac without hassle

New versions of Python bring real improvements — faster performance, clearer error messages, and stronger security. Whether you go through the official website or Terminal, both methods are reliable and straightforward. Pick whichever feels more comfortable, and you'll be up and running on the latest version in minutes.

To make your Python workflow even smoother, here are a few tools worth having in your corner — all available on Setapp. DevUtils gives you one-click access to a comprehensive set of offline development utilities. SnippetsLab keeps your code snippets organized and accessible across multiple languages. And CodeRunner lets you write, run, and debug code from a single, fast interface with support for over 25 languages.

A fresh Python install is only step one — the rest of your dev workflow deserves the same upgrade. DevUtils, SnippetsLab, CodeRunner, and CleanMyMac are all on Setapp at $14.99 USD/mo + tax. Free for 7 days. Explore all 270+ apps on Setapp.

FAQ

How do I install or update to the latest Python version on Mac?

Visit python.org, download the macOS installer for Python 3.14.7, and run it. Or use Homebrew: brew update, then brew upgrade python. Check your version afterward with python3 --version.

How do I check the Python version in Mac Terminal?

Open Terminal and type python3 --version for Python 3 or python --version for Python 2. To see all installed versions, type ls /usr/local/bin/python*.

How do I choose the Python version in Terminal?

Use a version manager like pyenv. Install it with brew install pyenv, then run pyenv global 3.14.7 to set your desired default version. For project-specific versions, use pyenv local 3.14.4 in your project directory.

What is the latest version of Python for macOS?

As of September 2026, Python 3.14.7 is the latest stable release. Python 3.13.15 is the latest release in the previous stable branch. Check python.org/downloads for the current version.