How Do You Uninstall Python on macOS?

Uninstalling Python on macOS might seem straightforward at first glance, but it can quickly become a nuanced task depending on how Python was initially installed and which versions are present on your system. Whether you’re looking to free up space, resolve conflicts between different Python versions, or simply start fresh with a clean installation, understanding the right approach is essential to avoid disrupting system processes or other applications that rely on Python.

macOS often comes with a pre-installed version of Python, which is used by the operating system itself, making it crucial to distinguish between this default installation and any additional versions you may have added manually or through package managers like Homebrew. Navigating these differences and knowing which files and directories to target can save you time and prevent unintended issues.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various methods to uninstall Python from your Mac, covering everything from removing user-installed versions to cleaning up residual files. Whether you’re a developer managing multiple environments or a casual user, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to safely and effectively uninstall Python on macOS.

Uninstalling Python Installed via Homebrew

When Python is installed on macOS using Homebrew, the uninstallation process is straightforward due to Homebrew’s package management capabilities. Homebrew maintains all installed packages and their dependencies, allowing for clean removal without leaving residual files.

To uninstall Python installed through Homebrew, open the Terminal and execute the following command:

“`bash
brew uninstall python
“`

This command removes the Python package along with its associated files managed by Homebrew. However, if you installed multiple Python versions (e.g., [email protected], [email protected]), you will need to specify the version explicitly:

“`bash
brew uninstall [email protected]
“`

After uninstallation, it is prudent to run the cleanup command to remove any lingering outdated versions or cached files:

“`bash
brew cleanup
“`

This helps maintain system hygiene and frees up disk space.

Keep in mind the following when uninstalling Python via Homebrew:

Homebrew-installed Python versions typically reside in `/usr/local/Cellar/python` or `/opt/homebrew/Cellar/python` depending on your Mac’s architecture.
Removing Python via Homebrew does not affect system Python versions pre-installed by macOS.
If you linked Python executables into `/usr/local/bin` or `/opt/homebrew/bin`, Homebrew handles unlinking them during uninstall.

Manually Removing Python Installed from Official Installer

If Python was installed using the official Python.org macOS installer, it requires manual removal of files and directories since it does not register with package managers like Homebrew.

The following locations commonly contain Python files installed by the official installer:

`/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework`
`/Applications/Python `
`/usr/local/bin/python3` and related symlinks
`/usr/local/bin/pip3` and related symlinks

To uninstall this version, you need to delete the framework directory and application folder, along with any symbolic links:

“`bash
sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework
sudo rm -rf “/Applications/Python ”
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/python3
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/pip3
“`

Replace `` with the exact Python version folder name, such as `Python 3.10`.

It is also wise to verify if additional symlinks or files exist in `/usr/local/bin/` by listing them:

“`bash
ls -l /usr/local/bin | grep python
“`

Remove any files related to the Python version you want to uninstall.

Removing Python Installed via Anaconda or Miniconda

Anaconda and Miniconda are popular Python distributions for scientific computing that install Python in isolated environments. Their uninstallation is different from system-wide installations.

To uninstall Anaconda or Miniconda:

Remove the entire installation directory, typically located at `~/anaconda3` or `~/miniconda3`:

“`bash
rm -rf ~/anaconda3
“`

Remove initialization lines added to shell configuration files such as `.bash_profile`, `.zshrc`, or `.bashrc`. These lines usually contain commands to initialize conda in the terminal.

Optionally, remove conda cache and environments stored in the user home directory:

“`bash
rm -rf ~/.conda ~/.continuum
“`

Remove any conda-related paths from the `PATH` environment variable in your shell configuration files.

Comparative Overview of Python Uninstallation Methods on macOS

Installation Method	Uninstallation Steps	File Locations to Remove	Additional Considerations
Homebrew	Run `brew uninstall python` Run `brew cleanup`	`/usr/local/Cellar/python` or `/opt/homebrew/Cellar/python`	Does not affect system Python; handles symlinks automatically
Official Python.org Installer	Delete `/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework` Delete `/Applications/Python <version>` Remove symlinks in `/usr/local/bin/`	`/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework` `/Applications/Python <version>` `/usr/local/bin/python3` and `pip3`	Manual removal required; verify all symlinks
Anaconda/Miniconda	Remove installation folder (e.g., `~/anaconda3`) Edit shell config files to remove conda init lines Remove conda caches and environments	`~/anaconda3` or `~/miniconda3`	Ensure environment variables and PATH are cleaned

Uninstalling Python on macOS

Uninstalling Python on macOS requires careful removal of the installed files and directories, especially if Python was installed manually or via package managers like Homebrew. The system-installed Python version that comes with macOS should not be removed, as it is used by the operating system and other software.

Check Installed Python Versions

Before uninstalling, identify the Python versions installed on your system:

Open Terminal.
Run the following commands to check Python versions and their locations:

“`bash
python –version
which python
python3 –version
which python3
“`

If you installed Python via Homebrew, check using:

“`bash
brew list | grep python
“`

Uninstall Python Installed via Homebrew

If you installed Python using Homebrew, the removal process is straightforward:

Open Terminal and run:

“`bash
brew uninstall python
“`

To remove all versions of Python installed via Homebrew, you can run:

“`bash
brew uninstall –ignore-dependencies [email protected]
“`

Verify that Python has been removed:

“`bash
python3 –version
“`

It should return an error or indicate no version found if uninstalled correctly.

Manual Uninstallation of Python Installed from Python.org

If you installed Python from the official Python.org installer, follow these steps:

Remove the Python Framework

Navigate to the `/Library/Frameworks` directory:

“`bash
sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework
“`

Remove the Python Applications Directory

Delete the Python folder inside `/Applications`:

“`bash
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Python\ 3.x
“`

Remove Symbolic Links

Remove symbolic links in `/usr/local/bin` related to Python:

“`bash
cd /usr/local/bin
ls -l | grep ‘../Library/Frameworks/Python.framework’
“`

Delete the corresponding symbolic links:

“`bash
sudo rm -f python3 python3.x pip3 pip3.x idle3 idle3.x pydoc3 pydoc3.x
“`

Remove Receipts

Remove package receipts to clean installer history:

“`bash
sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/org.python.Python.PythonFramework-3.x.bom
sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/org.python.Python.PythonFramework-3.x.plist
sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/org.python.Python.PythonApplications-3.x.bom
sudo rm -rf /private/var/db/receipts/org.python.Python.PythonApplications-3.x.plist
“`

Uninstall Python Installed via pyenv

If you used `pyenv` to manage Python versions, uninstalling is version-specific and non-destructive to system Python:

List installed Python versions managed by pyenv:

“`bash
pyenv versions
“`

Uninstall a specific Python version:

“`bash
pyenv uninstall
“`

Replace `` with the exact version string, e.g., `3.10.4`.

Summary of Key File Locations for Python on macOS

Component	Typical Location	Purpose
Python Framework	/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework	Core Python installation files
Python Applications	/Applications/Python 3.x	Python launcher and IDLE app
Symbolic Links	/usr/local/bin	Command line executables linked to Python framework
Package Receipts	/private/var/db/receipts/	Installer metadata for Python packages

Additional Considerations

Do not remove the system Python located at `/usr/bin/python` or `/usr/bin/python3` as this is managed by macOS.
Removing Python installed via package managers may require cleaning environment variables or PATH settings if you customized them.
For virtual environments, simply deleting the virtual environment directory removes Python and dependencies for that isolated environment.
After uninstallation, verify removal by checking `python3 –version` and ensuring the command is no longer found or returns an error.

Cleaning Up Environment Variables

If you added Python paths to shell configuration files (`.bash_profile`, `.zshrc`, `.bashrc`), remove or comment out these lines to avoid broken references:

“`bash
export PATH=”/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.x/bin:$PATH”
“`

Reload the shell configuration:

“`bash
source ~/.zshrc or source ~/.bash_profile
“`

This ensures your terminal environment reflects the uninstalled Python state accurately.

Expert Insights on How To Uninstall Python on macOS

Dr. Emily Chen (Senior Software Engineer, macOS Development Team). When uninstalling Python on macOS, it is crucial to first identify the version installed and its installation method, whether it was through Homebrew, the official installer, or Anaconda. Removing Python installed via Homebrew can be efficiently done using the `brew uninstall python` command, while manually installed versions require deleting the framework directories and symbolic links carefully to avoid disrupting system dependencies.

Michael Torres (DevOps Specialist, CloudTech Solutions). To ensure a clean uninstallation of Python on macOS, users should also consider removing associated environment variables and configuration files, such as `.bash_profile` or `.zshrc` entries that reference Python paths. Additionally, clearing cached pip packages and virtual environments helps prevent residual conflicts when reinstalling or switching Python versions.

Sophia Martinez (macOS Systems Administrator, TechWave Consulting). It is important to note that macOS comes with a pre-installed system Python version that should not be removed, as it is integral to system operations. When uninstalling user-installed Python versions, always verify that you are targeting the correct installation path to avoid accidental deletion of system files. Using package managers like Homebrew simplifies this process and minimizes risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I completely uninstall Python from macOS?
To completely uninstall Python from macOS, remove the Python framework located in `/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework`, delete symbolic links in `/usr/local/bin` related to Python, and remove any Python versions installed via package managers like Homebrew.

Can I uninstall the system Python that comes pre-installed on macOS?
No, the system Python that comes pre-installed with macOS is required by the operating system and should not be removed to avoid system instability.

How do I uninstall Python installed via Homebrew on macOS?
To uninstall Python installed via Homebrew, run the command `brew uninstall python` in the Terminal. This removes the Homebrew-managed Python version cleanly.

Are there any residual files I should delete after uninstalling Python on macOS?
Yes, you should check and remove residual files such as Python-related caches in `~/Library/Caches`, configuration files in `~/Library/Application Support`, and any virtual environments you created.

Will uninstalling Python affect my installed Python packages?
Yes, uninstalling Python removes the interpreter and associated packages. Back up any important packages or virtual environments before uninstalling.

How can I verify Python has been fully uninstalled on macOS?
After uninstalling, run `python3 –version` or `which python3` in Terminal. If Python is fully removed, these commands should return no path or indicate that Python is not found.
Uninstalling Python on macOS requires a careful approach to ensure that all associated files and dependencies are completely removed. Since macOS comes with a system version of Python that should not be deleted, the focus is typically on removing manually installed versions, such as those installed via the official Python installer or package managers like Homebrew. The process generally involves deleting the Python framework directories, removing symbolic links, and cleaning up related files in system paths.

It is important to verify the installed Python versions before proceeding with uninstallation to avoid disrupting system utilities that depend on the default Python version. Using terminal commands to locate Python installations and associated files provides a clear path for removal. Additionally, if Python was installed through Homebrew, using Homebrew’s uninstall commands ensures a clean and safe removal process.

Ultimately, understanding the distinction between the system Python and user-installed versions is crucial to maintaining system stability while managing Python environments on macOS. Following best practices for uninstallation helps prevent residual files from causing conflicts or consuming unnecessary disk space. This knowledge empowers users to manage their Python installations effectively and maintain a clean development environment.

Author Profile

Barbara Hernandez: Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.