How to Determine Python Location on macOS?
I’m confused about the Python installation on my macOS laptop. I ran type -a python and got the following result:
python is /usr/bin/python
python is /usr/local/bin/python
However, running both versions returns [GCC 4.2.1 (Apple Inc. build 5646)] on Darwin. Do these both refer to the same built-in Python provided by macOS?
I also read that installing MacPython would create a “MacPython 2.5” folder in the Applications directory. I found a MacPort folder with python2.6 and IDLE in it, but when I run IDLE, I still see the same message.
Which Python is being used on my system, and how can I tell the difference between the built-in version and the MacPort installation?
Hi there! I’ve had a lot of experience navigating Python installations on macOS, so let me guide you through this.
To figure out where is python installed on mac, you can verify the version and its location by running these commands in your terminal:
which python
python --version
The which python command will show you the exact path of the Python executable being used. If it points to /usr/bin/python, that’s the built-in Python provided by macOS. If it points to /usr/local/bin/python, it might have been installed separately through Homebrew or MacPorts.
The version check (python --version) ensures you know which Python version is tied to the path you’re using.
Let me know if this clears things up or if you’d like more details!
That’s a great starting point, Emma! To build on this, if you think Python was installed via MacPorts, there’s another way to pinpoint it.
MacPorts manages its own installations, so you can list Python versions installed via MacPorts with this command:
port installed python
If you see versions like Python 2.6 listed, you can ensure MacPorts uses its version by running:
sudo port select python python2.6
This will make Python 2.6 the active version on your system. This is especially helpful for understanding where is python installed on mac and avoiding conflicts between the built-in and MacPorts Python versions.
Great insights, Madhurima! If you’re still wondering about other installations, like MacPython, there’s one more step you can take to uncover where is python installed on mac.
Look for a “MacPython” folder in /Applications. You can do this by running:
ls /Applications | grep MacPython
If you find it, you can open IDLE (which often comes with MacPython) from that folder. To confirm which Python version IDLE is using, open it and run these commands in the Python shell:
import sys
print(sys.version)
This will display the exact Python version tied to IDLE. It’s a great way to confirm if you’re running the built-in version, MacPorts version, or a standalone MacPython installation.
Let us know if you find something interesting! 