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

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday October 7, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, prior-generation AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods 4 models. The firmware has a build number of 8A358, up from 8A356. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the prior 8A356 update added iOS 26 features to the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 with ANC. The software introduced better audio quality ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 2

Monday October 6, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, introducing useful changes to alarms, multitasking on the iPad, and more. There are also subtle tweaks to some of the Liquid Glass design elements as Apple continues to refine iOS 26. Alarms and Timers Alarms set using the Clock app now have a slide to stop button rather than a tap to stop button on the Lock Screen. To snooze an...
john ternus on stage

Gurman: Major Apple Leadership Shakeup Impending With John Ternus as Next CEO

Monday October 6, 2025 6:21 am PDT by
Apple is entering its most significant leadership transition in more than a decade as multiple senior executives prepare to depart and CEO Tim Cook begins to shape the company's next generation of leaders, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Jeff Williams, who was viewed as Cook's potential successor for several...
ios 26 1 slide to stop

Apple Fixes Alarms in iOS 26.1

Monday October 6, 2025 11:56 am PDT by
With the second beta of iOS 26.1, Apple updated the design of alarms set on the iPhone, making them harder to dismiss than before. Stopping an alarm in iOS 26.1 beta 2 requires a new Slide to Stop gesture rather than a simple tap. You can continue to tap to snooze an alarm, but if you want to turn it off entirely, you need to use a swipe. Transitioning from a tap to a slide gesture to...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

iPad Mini 8 on the Way: Expected Features and Release Timeline

Monday October 6, 2025 5:05 am PDT by
A new iPad mini is "absolutely" on the way, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released a year ago? Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared in...
tag heuer made for iphone

New TAG Heuer Smartwatches Now 'Made for iPhone'

Wednesday October 8, 2025 8:41 am PDT by
TAG Heuer today announced the Connected Calibre E5 smartwatch, now featuring "Made for iPhone" certification as the watchmaker abandons Google's Wear OS. Three years after launching the Calibre E4, the Connected Calibre E5 comes in two case sizes: 45mm and a new, more compact 40mm. They are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 5100+. The 45mm model features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, while ...
macbook pro pink

M5 MacBook Pro Could Launch in October as M4 Model Faces Supply Constraints

Monday October 6, 2025 3:23 pm PDT by
Supplies of the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro model appear to be constrained amid rumors that an upgraded M5 model could launch as soon as this year. As noted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, custom configurations of the M4 MacBook Pro model have a delayed shipping date and will not be delivered to customers until October 23 to 28. The restricted supply could be an indication that Apple is planning to...
iphone 17 magsafe silicon rings 1

Apple Modifies In-Store MagSafe Stands to Prevent iPhone 17 Marks

Wednesday October 8, 2025 4:41 am PDT by
Apple has quietly added a protective silicone ring to its in-store MagSafe charging stands following reports of marks appearing on some iPhone 17 series display models, according to Consomac. The apparent move comes after Apple last month confirmed that worn MagSafe chargers in retail stores were causing what appeared to be scratches on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There have...
iOS 26 Feature

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday October 1, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
iOS 26 was released last month, but the software train never stops, and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, and Safari. More features and changes will follow in future versions,...

Top Rated Comments

theluggage Avatar
48 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)
Bokito Avatar
48 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
48 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
48 months ago
Excellent news.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
48 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
48 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)