

Whether you install the updated Python 3 with the package installer or Homebrew, the default version of Python 2.7 that comes preinstalled with Mac OS and Mac OS X will still be installed, completely untouched, and can be run with the simple “python” command as always. Once the updated Python 3 has been installed on the Mac, you can run it with: To install the latest version of Python 3 using Homebrew, just issue the following command string: We’re going to assume you already have Homebrew, if you don’t the you can read here how to install Homebrew on Mac OS. Of course you will need Homebrew installed on the Mac before you can use the Homebrew method, but if you’re interested in messing around with Python then Homebrew will probably appeal to you anyway. Installing an updated version of Python 3.8 (as of time of writing) is super easy with HomeBrew. You can also install Python 3.x on a Mac through Homebrew, which is my preferred method as a Homebrew user. You’ll also find the simple IDE called IDLE within the /Applications/MacPython3/ directory, which basically gives you the same Python IDE you’d encounter if you ran ‘python3’ at the command prompt in Terminal. Once Python 3 is installed you will find a Python3 folder within the /Applications directory of your Mac. Installation is quick, and you’ll have Python 3.x alongside Python 2.x on the Mac. Python 3.8.x requires about 100mb of disk space to install. Run the Python installer package and install Python 3 onto the Mac.

