How to install pip on Mac: 4 methods + common error fixes

Short answer: The fastest way to get pip on macOS is to install the latest Python 3 package with Homebrew (brew install python). Homebrew's Python comes with pip pre-installed, so you can start installing packages right away. If you already have Python 3 from python.org, skip Homebrew and run python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade instead.

Here's a breakdown of the main installation methods. Each has its place, and I'll walk you through them below:

Install pip on Mac	Best for	Time needed	Command
Homebrew	New Python setups	5 minutes	brew install python
python.org installer	Official Python users	3 minutes	Download from python.org
ensurepip module	Fixing missing pip	1 minute	python3 -m ensurepip
get-pip.py script	Last resort option	2 minutes	curl -o get-pip.py

How to check if pip is already installed

Before installing anything, let's check if pip is already on your Mac. Apple included Python 2.7 with macOS until 2022 (macOS Monterey 12.3), but Python 3 and pip may be present if you or an app installed them earlier.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
2. Type python3 -m pip --version and press Return.
3. Look for output like pip 24.3.1 from ... (python 3.x).

   

If you see a version number, pip is ready to use. If you get "No module named pip" or "Command not found," or a macOS prompt asking to install Command Line Tools, keep reading for installation steps.

You can also try pip3 --version directly. This works if pip's command is in your system’s PATH (the list of directories your Terminal searches for commands). According to Python's official documentation, Python 3.4 and later bundle pip by default, so most modern Python installations include it automatically.

Method 1: Install pip using Homebrew

I recommend Homebrew for most Mac users. It's the cleanest approach and handles dependencies automatically.

First, check if you have Homebrew:

1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
2. Run brew --version.
3. If you see a version number, skip straight to installing Python (covered below).

   

If Homebrew isn't installed, get it from brew.sh. Run this command in Terminal:

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

Note for Apple silicon Macs (M-series): After installation finishes, follow the "Next steps" instructions printed in your Terminal to add Homebrew to your system PATH.

Now install Python (which includes pip):

1. Run brew install python.
2. Wait for the installation to complete.
3. Verify with python3 --version (should show Python 3.13 or 3.14 or later).
4. Check pip with pip3 --version.

Homebrew installs everything to /opt/homebrew on Apple Silicon Macs or /usr/local on Intel Macs.

Method 2: Use the official Python installer

If you prefer the official route, download Python directly from python.org. Follow these steps:

1. Visit python.org/downloads/macos.
2. Download the latest stable release (Python 3.14.7 as of August 2026).
3. Open the downloaded .pkg file.
4. Follow the installer prompts.
5. Restart Terminal after installation.

The official installer includes pip automatically. Verify the installation by running:

python3 -m pip --version

This method works well if you need a specific Python version or prefer not to use Homebrew.

Method 3: Install pip with ensurepip

If Python is installed but pip is missing, use Python's built-in ensurepip module:

python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade

This command bootstraps pip using the wheels pre-bundled with your Python installation. The --upgrade flag ensures pip is installed even if an older version or broken instance was previously detected.

I use this approach when troubleshooting Python environments that have lost pip. It works offline and doesn't require external downloads.

Method 4: Download get-pip.py (last resort)

Use this method only if the others fail:

1. Download the installation script: curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-... -o get-pip.py.

   

2. Run python3 get-pip.py. Note: If you receive an "externally-managed-environment" error on modern macOS setups, run python3 get-pip.py --break-system-packages or python3 get-pip.py --user instead.
3. Delete the script: rm get-pip.py.

This script downloads and installs the latest pip version directly from PyPI. While it works, I prefer the other methods because they integrate better with your system's package management.

How to fix "command not found: pip3" error

This error usually means pip is installed but not in your PATH. There are a few ways to fix it.

Add Homebrew's location to your shell profile:

echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc

Now reopen Terminal and run pip3 --version again.

Alternative fixes:

• Use the full path: /opt/homebrew/bin/pip3 install package_name
• Run pip as a module: python3 -m pip install package_name
• Check which Python you're using: which python3

The PATH issue is common on Apple Silicon Macs where Homebrew installs to /opt/homebrew instead of the traditional /usr/local.

Running into other Terminal errors? The zsh: permission denied fix works for most of them.

Keep pip up to date

I usually run an upgrade right away to dodge SSL or dependency errors:

pip3 install --upgrade pip

That one command keeps your installation future-proof. pip releases updates every three months according toPyPI's release schedule, so regular updates ensure compatibility with new packages.

You can also upgrade pip using Python's module syntax:

python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip

This method works even if pip isn't in your PATH.

What to do next

With pip installed, you're ready to explore Python's ecosystem. Here are some essential packages to get started:

• requests for HTTP requests
• numpy for numerical computing
• pandas for data analysis
• flask or django for web development

Install any package with:

pip3 install package_name

For managing complex projects, consider using virtual environments:

python3 -m venv myproject

source myproject/bin/activate

This keeps project dependencies isolated and prevents version conflicts.

What is pip and why do you need it?

pip is Python's package installer — the tool that lets you download and manage Python libraries from the Python Package Index (PyPI). Think of it as the App Store for Python packages. Whether you're building web apps with Django, analyzing data with pandas, or automating tasks with requests, pip gets these tools onto your Mac.

I've been using pip on macOS for years, and getting it set up takes just a few minutes. The tricky part is knowing which installation method works best for your setup.

Get started with pip on your Mac

Installing pip opens up Python's vast library ecosystem on your Mac. Whether you chose Homebrew, the official installer, or ensurepip, you now have access to thousands of packages for data science, web development, automation, and more.

If you found Substage helpful for Terminal commands, you can try it along with 270+ other Mac apps through Setapp's free trial for $14.99 USD/mo + tax. It's a great way to enhance your development workflow without buying individual apps. Start your 7-day free trial.

FAQ

Is pip already installed on macOS?

Python 3.4 and later bundles pip, so installing Python from python.org or with Homebrew usually gives you pip automatically. (Note: macOS no longer includes a pre-installed system Python, so it must be installed separately). Open Terminal and run python3 -m pip --version. If a version appears, pip is ready. If you get "command not found," install it using the steps above.

How do I install pip on my Mac using Terminal?

Open Terminal and run brew install python if you have Homebrew. This installs Python 3 with pip included. Without Homebrew, use python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade to bootstrap pip from your existing Python installation. Both methods take under five minutes.

How can I check if pip is installed on my Mac?

Run pip3 --version or python3 -m pip --version in Terminal. If pip is installed, you'll see version information like "pip 26.2.1". The second command works even if pip isn't in your PATH. No output or "command not found" means pip needs to be installed.

Why does my Mac say "pip command not found"?

Three common causes: pip isn't installed, you're using the wrong command name (try pip3 instead of pip), or pip isn't in your PATH. Fix it by installing pip with Homebrew, using python3 -m pip instead, or adding Homebrew's directory to your PATH as shown above.

How do I update pip on macOS?

Run python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip in Terminal. This upgrades pip to the latest version while preserving your installed packages. Note: On modern macOS setups using Python 3.12+, run this command inside an active virtual environment, or add --break-system-packages if updating globally. Regular updates prevent compatibility issues with new Python packages.