Make Python 3 default on Mac OS?

Question

I would like to ask if it is possible to make Python 3 a default interpreter on Mac OS 10 when typing python right away from the terminal? If so, can somebody help how to do it? I'm avoiding switching between the environments.

Cheers

You need to change it as the default virtual environment: https://realpython.com/python-virtual-environments-a-primer/ — anishtain4, Apr 24 '18 at 22:25
@Chrispresso true but there is no answer to that post, anyways thanks. — Andile, Apr 24 '18 at 22:30

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

8

Method 1:

In ~/.bash_profile, set an alias for your python3

alias python='python3'

Method 2(I use this way to keep multiple python versions):

Install python3(the virtualenv python3 on my machine is env-3.5) by virtualenv, in ~/.bash_profile activate certain virtual environment:

source /Users/username/.virtualenvs/env-3.5/bin/activate

I suggest use a virtual environment, it will affect your system even packages messed up.

update:

Did research on anaconda which data_garden commented. Here I post how I installed it:

Go to page https://www.anaconda.com/download/#macos find the package meet your system requirement, for me it's MacOS
Add to system PATH export PATH=$HOME/anaconda3/bin:$PATH into .bash_profile
Search available python versions conda search "^python$"
Create env: conda create -n env-3.6.5 python=3.6.5 , env-3.6.5 is the name of the new created env
Activate env: source activate env-3.6.5, add it into .bash_profile

Done!

You can run conda env list to display all virtual environments you have created.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Apr 24 '18 at 22:27

Haifeng Zhang

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and, if chosing a virtual environment approach, I suggest you try installing `anaconda` and creating envs for your python versions, which are a bit more intuitive than `virtualenv`. for conda you would just type `source activate py35` and that's it. – 8-Bit Borges Apr 24 '18 at 23:03
@data_gardens can you demonstrate this by an example? – Andile Apr 25 '18 at 07:24
@data_garden haven't tried it yet, it would be appreciated if you can post an instruction here! – Haifeng Zhang Apr 25 '18 at 19:38
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@data_garden just installed anaconda, pretty cool! – Haifeng Zhang Apr 25 '18 at 21:22
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@gumedean see my update if you're insterested in `anaconda` – Haifeng Zhang Apr 25 '18 at 21:23
@data_garden thanks a lot, this was helpful. – Andile Apr 26 '18 at 09:08
you're very welcome. – 8-Bit Borges Apr 26 '18 at 18:25

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 14 '20 at 13:46

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You can do that by changing alias, typing in something like $ alias python=python3 in the terminal. If you want the change to persist open ~/.bash_profile using nano and then add alias python=python3. CTRL+O to save and CTRL+X to close. Then type $ source ~./bash_profile in the terminal.

edited May 14 '20 at 13:46

Richie Bendall

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answered Apr 24 '18 at 22:31

unholy_me

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Make Python 3 default on Mac OS?

2 Answers2

update: