Apple Finally Removing Python 2 in macOS 12.3 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Finally Removing Python 2 in macOS 12.3

Apple will no longer bundle Python 2.7 with macOS 12.3, according to developer release notes for the upcoming software update. Python 2 has not been supported since January 1, 2020 and no longer receives any bug fixes, security patches, or other changes.

macOS Monterey Python
Apple says that developers should use an alternative scripting language going forward, such as Python 3, but it's worth noting that Python 3 also does not come preinstalled on macOS. Developers can run the stub /usr/bin/python3 in Terminal, but it prompts users to install Xcode developer tools, which includes Python 3.

Apple warned that future versions of macOS would not include Python 2.7 in macOS Catalina's developer release notes back in 2019. At the time, Apple said Python 2.7 was included in macOS for compatibility with legacy software.

"If your software depends on scripting languages, it's recommended that you bundle the runtime within the app," said Apple.

Related Forum: macOS Monterey

Popular Stories

M5 MacBook Pro

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by
Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...
iPhone Duo Trio

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by
With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Announcing New Products Next Week: 'Pro and Tell'

Monday October 19, 2026 9:05 am PDT by
Apple's Greg Joswiak today hinted at new product announcements coming next week, sharing a social media post that says "Can't wait to pro and tell next week." Rumors suggest Apple is planning to debut the new MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen display, an M6 entry-level MacBook Pro, an M6 iMac, an iPad mini with an OLED display. Can't wait to pro and tell next week....

Top Rated Comments

62 months ago

I think the warning is only displayed if you don’t have developer tools installed. Any non-developers affected should know by now and developers should be able to easily switch to a semvar friendly version.
You might want to try clicking on the link to find out what "semver" actually refers to. :)

The point is that changes like this, which break existing code, should happen at major releases, when reasonable people expect to have to do the research and deal with some disruption to their work - not snuck in with a point release alongside essential bug fixes and security updates. Adequate warning was given that it would disappear sometime but that's only so much use without giving a clue about when it would be removed, and then vanishing it overnight. Getting rid of legacy software dependencies isn't always straightforward and people need clarity about when things will be removed.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
62 months ago
Apple is not really working towards being semver ('https://semver.org') friendly this week. Removing Python 2.7 in a dot release and also making older cloud storage apps read-only. I don't care they do this (it's for the greater good), but they shouldn't do it in a point release, especially ones you can't skip as they contain security fixes.

Fortunately I'm not affected by any of the changes, but it's just bad business.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
averagenerd81 Avatar
62 months ago

Apple is not really working towards being semver ('https://semver.org') friendly this week. Removing Python 2.7 in a dot release and also making older cloud storage apps read-only. I don't care they do this (it's for the greater good), but they shouldn't do it in a point release, especially ones you can't skip as they contain security fixes.

Fortunately I'm not affected by any of the changes, but it's just bad business.
Since security updates have not been provided in two years for 2.x, it is time to get rid of it with anyone desiring it can install it on their own. I am sick of being hampered because people refuse to move on, it's two years with no updates. It's dead Jim, move on and make us more secure.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArrayDecay Avatar
62 months ago
Excellent news.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
62 months ago

Apple is not really working towards being semver ('https://semver.org') friendly this week.
Semver works for libraries not for consumer products. Otherwise we'd be using macOS 75.0.0 it this point.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
averagenerd81 Avatar
62 months ago

MacOS is becoming a bag full of hurt.o_O
I see you haven't used Windows before. Just this month I had to refrain from patching my domain controllers because the cumulative update for January sent them into a boot loop. The update to fix that is only available via manual install (it isn't advertised in WSUS or SCCM), but the patch that breaks things still is! So you have to install the broken patch and then the fix for the broken patch.

Removing a 2 year unpatched version of Python that people have been notified about repeatedly being a "bag full of hurt"? Only if you can't read the basic text when you launch python from the CLI:

[ICODE]WARNING: Python 2.7 is not recommended.
This version is included in macOS for compatibility with legacy software.
Future versions of macOS will not include Python 2.7.
Instead, it is recommended that you transition to using 'python3' from within Terminal.
[/ICODE]

So yeah, totally a "bag full of hurt" ..... totally.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
42 minutes ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
1 hour ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
2 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
2 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
4 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
4 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
5 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
9 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
9 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
9 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
10 hours ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
10 hours ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
11 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
11 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
16 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
17 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
18 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
18 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
19 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
21 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
21 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
21 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
22 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
1 day ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
1 day ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
1 day ago