How to Update Python on Mac Command Line

If you're using a Mac and want to keep your Python installation up-to-date, doing so through the command line is a straightforward process. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to update Python on your Mac using the terminal.

First things first, make sure you have Python installed on your Mac. If you don't, you can download it from the official Python website and follow the installation instructions. Once you've got Python installed, let's get started with updating it.

To check which version of Python is currently installed on your Mac, open the terminal application and type `python --version`. This will display the version number of your current Python installation.

To update Python to the latest version, use the following command: `python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade`. This command uses pip, the package installer for Python, to check for updates and install the latest version.

If you want to specify a specific version of Python to upgrade to, you can do so by using the `python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade ` command. For example, if you want to upgrade to Python 3.9, use the following command: `python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade 3.9`.

Once the update is complete, you can verify that you're running the latest version of Python by typing `python --version` in the terminal again.

That's it! You've successfully updated your Python installation on your Mac using the command line. Remember to always keep your Python installation up-to-date to ensure you have access to the latest features and security patches.

How to update python on mac command line