Python 3 on older macOS

Python 3 is required to run wikiproxy, TrollRestore, and SundanceInH2A.

• If you are using macOS 11 Big Sur or older, Python 3 is usually not included with the operating system.
• If you are using macOS 12 Monterey or newer, installing Xcode Command Line Tools also installs Python 3. You can still follow the steps below if you want to install a newer version of Python (such as Python 3.14).

1. Open Terminal and run:

   python3 --version

   • If you see a version such as Python 3.11.9, Python 3 is already installed. If you installed Python from the official Python website, you should still complete the certificate installation step below.
   • If you instead see:

   python3: command not found
   

   • Python 3 is not installed on your system.

2. Download and install Python 3 from the official website:

   https://www.python.org

   Version recommendations:

   • macOS 10.11 El Capitan: Python 3.12.5 is the newest official release supported: https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.12.5/python-3.12.5-macos11.pkg
   • macOS 10.12 Sierra – macOS 10.14 Mojave: You can install Python 3.13.x, which is the newest supported release: https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.14/python-3.13.14-macos11.pkg
   • macOS 10.15 Catalina and newer: Install the latest available Python 3.14.x release.

3. After installing Python, open Applications, then open the Python 3.x folder for the version you installed. Double-click Install Certificates.command.

   • This step is required. Do not skip it.