How to Find and Remove Unnecessary Python Versions on Mac
macOS comes with Python preinstalled, but installing additional versions can lead to clutter and confusion. This guide will help you identify all installed versions and clean up the ones you don’t need, ensuring a streamlined setup.
Why Would I Have Multiple Versions of Python?
It’s easy to accumulate multiple Python versions on a Mac without realizing it. Older macOS versions came with Python 2, while newer ones include Python 3 by default. Many users install Python via Homebrew, which adds another version, or manually download it from python.org, creating additional installations.
Developers often use pyenv to manage multiple versions, while tools like Xcode, Anaconda, or third-party apps (e.g., VS Code, Blender) may bundle their own Python runtime.
This leads to confusion when running python or python3, conflicts with pip, and uncertainty about which version is active. Cleaning up unnecessary versions helps keep your system organized
How to Remove Unnecessary Python Versions
Step 1: Check Installed Python Versions
To see which Python versions are on your Mac, run these commands in Terminal:
python --version
Or:
python3 --version
This checks the default Python version. You may see:
Python 3.11.4
Python 2.7.16
Next, list all system-installed Python binaries:
ls -l /usr/bin/python*
macOS protects system files, so these versions can’t usually be removed.
Check if Homebrew installed any Python versions:
brew list | grep python
Homebrew-installed Python can be removed easily if unnecessary.
If you use pyenv, list installed versions:
pyenv versions
Finally, check all available Python paths:
which -a python python3
Knowing these paths helps keep your system organized and prevents conflicts.
Step 2: Remove Unnecessary Python Versions
Now that you know which Python versions are installed, it’s time to remove the ones you don’t need.
Follow these steps based on how Python was installed.
Remove Python Installed via Homebrew
If you installed Python using Homebrew, remove it with these commands:
brew list | grep python
This will show if Homebrew has installed Python.
To uninstall it, run:
brew uninstall python
Then clean up leftover files:
brew autoremove brew cleanup
Remove Python Installed via pyenv
If you used pyenv to manage Python versions, check installed versions:
pyenv versions
To remove a specific version, use:
pyenv uninstall <version>
Replace <version> with the actual version number you want to delete.
Remove Python Installed from python.org
If you manually downloaded Python from python.org, remove it with these commands:
sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/python*
This will delete all manually installed Python files.
Check for Any Leftover Python Files
Even after uninstalling, some Python files might remain. Run:
which -a python python3
If you still see unnecessary Python paths, remove them manually:
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/python*
Once you’ve completed these steps, Python versions you no longer need will be removed from your Mac.
Step 3: Verify the Cleanup
After removing unnecessary Python versions, check that everything is working correctly.
Confirm the Remaining Python Version
Run this command to see which Python version is still installed:
python3 --version
If Python was completely removed, you’ll see an error like command not found. If a version is displayed, that’s the one still installed.
Check the Python Installation Path
Run this command to see where Python is installed:
which python3
This should return a single valid path. If you see multiple locations, you might still have extra Python versions installed.
Ensure Your System Is Clean
To double-check for any leftover Python files, use:
which -a python python3
If any unwanted paths appear, remove them manually:
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/python*
Once done, your Mac should have only the necessary Python installation, avoiding conflicts and keeping your system clean.
That’s it! You’ve successfully removed extra Python versions.