diff --git a/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml b/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
index c9382ae..8b67d01 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml
@@ -42,12 +42,12 @@ jobs:
 
           ## old keras/tf versions
           # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.18', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.17', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.16', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.15', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.14', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.13', r: 'release'}
-          - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.12', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.17', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.16', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.15', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.14', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.13', r: 'release'}
+          # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.12', r: 'release'}
 
           # these are allowed to fail
           # - {os: 'ubuntu-latest', tf: '2.14.0rc1', r: 'release'}
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ jobs:
     env:
       R_KEEP_PKG_SOURCE: yes
       GITHUB_PAT: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+      PY_REQUIRE_TENSORFLOW: true
       # R_REMOTES_NO_ERRORS_FROM_WARNINGS: 'true'
       # R_COMPILE_AND_INSTALL_PACKAGES: 'never'
 
@@ -91,20 +92,20 @@ jobs:
 
       - uses: r-lib/actions/setup-r-dependencies@v2
         with:
-          extra-packages: any::rcmdcheck local::. rstudio/reticulate
-          cache-version: 4
+          extra-packages: any::rcmdcheck local::.
+            # rstudio/reticulate
+          cache-version: 5
           upgrade: 'TRUE'
 
-      - name: Install TensorFlow
-        run: |
-          print(sessionInfo())
-          print(Sys.info())
-          version <- '${{ matrix.tf }}'
-          if (version != "default")
-            tensorflow::install_tensorflow(version = '${{ matrix.tf }}')
-          tensorflow::tf_config()
+      # - name: Install TensorFlow
+      #   run: |
+      #     print(sessionInfo())
+      #     print(Sys.info())
+      #     version <- '${{ matrix.tf }}'
+      #     if (version != "default")
+      #       tensorflow::install_tensorflow(version = '${{ matrix.tf }}')
+      #     tensorflow::tf_config()
 
       - uses: r-lib/actions/check-r-package@v2
         with:
           upload-snapshots: true
-
diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index df26208..5c6f8e9 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Package: tensorflow
 Type: Package
 Title: R Interface to 'TensorFlow'
-Version: 2.16.0.9000
+Version: 2.20.0.9000
 Authors@R: c(
   person("JJ", "Allaire", role = c("aut", "cph")),
   person("Tomasz", "Kalinowski", role = c("ctb", "cph", "cre"),
diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index a2ce6fd..a3279f2 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -142,6 +142,8 @@ export(iterate)
 export(np_array)
 export(parse_arguments)
 export(parse_flags)
+export(py_require)
+export(py_require_tensorflow)
 export(run_dir)
 export(set_random_seed)
 export(shape)
@@ -162,6 +164,7 @@ export(use_python)
 export(use_session_with_seed)
 export(use_virtualenv)
 export(view_savedmodel)
+if (getRversion() >= "4.3.0") S3method("%*%",tensorflow.tensor)
 import(reticulate)
 importFrom(grDevices,as.raster)
 importFrom(lifecycle,deprecated)
@@ -171,6 +174,7 @@ importFrom(reticulate,dict)
 importFrom(reticulate,import)
 importFrom(reticulate,iterate)
 importFrom(reticulate,np_array)
+importFrom(reticulate,py_require)
 importFrom(reticulate,tuple)
 importFrom(reticulate,use_condaenv)
 importFrom(reticulate,use_python)
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 462e284..29e4225 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 # tensorflow (development version)
 
-- Updates for reticulate 1.41. The tensorflow R package now calls
-  `reticuate::py_require()` when it is loaded. Calling `install_tensorflow()`
+# tensorflow 2.20.0
+
+- Updates for reticulate 1.41 and `reticuate::py_require()`. 
+  New function `py_require_tensorflow()` which can be called at the start of an R session
+  to enable reticulate to resolve tensorflow. Calling `install_tensorflow()`
   in most circumstances is no longer necessary.
-- `install_tensorflow()` installs TensorFlow v2.18 by default.
+- `install_tensorflow()` installs TensorFlow v2.20 by default.
 - Fixed an issue where GPUs would not be found when running on Windows
   WSL Linux (reported in rstudio/keras3#1456, fixed in #599)
 - Fixes for NumPy 2.0 (#601)
diff --git a/R/generics.R b/R/generics.R
index 77bb300..14ba666 100644
--- a/R/generics.R
+++ b/R/generics.R
@@ -884,9 +884,7 @@ py_to_r.keras.src.utils.tracking.TrackedList <- function(x) import("builtins")$l
 #' @export
 py_to_r.keras.src.utils.tracking.TrackedSet <- function(x) import("builtins")$list(x)
 
-
-#' @rdname Ops-python-methods
-#' @rawNamespace if (getRversion() >= "4.3.0") S3method("%*%",python.builtin.object)
+#' @rawNamespace if (getRversion() >= "4.3.0") S3method("%*%",tensorflow.tensor)
 `%*%.tensorflow.tensor` <- function(x, y) {
   if (is.atomic(x) && is_tensor(y)) {
     if (length(x) > 1L)
diff --git a/R/install.R b/R/install.R
index ec66682..ff85bba 100644
--- a/R/install.R
+++ b/R/install.R
@@ -2,13 +2,23 @@
 #'
 #' @description
 #'
-#' Beginning with reticulate version 1.41, in most circumstances, calling the
-#' `install_tensorflow()` function is no longer necessary, because reticulate
-#' automatically registers python requirements with `reticulate::py_require()`
-#' when tensorflow is loaded.
+#' This function installs TensorFlow into a persistant virtual environment.
+#' Beginning with reticulate version 1.41, in most circumstances, creating a
+#' persistent virtual environment by calling the `install_tensorflow()` function
+#' is no longer necessary, because reticulate automatically will resolve a
+#' python environment that satisfies all python requirements declared with
+#' `reticulate::py_require()`.
 #'
-#' The Python packages registered with `py_require()` by the tensorflow R
-#' package:
+#' New code is recommended to call `py_require_tensorflow()` at the start of an
+#' R session to declare tensorflow requirements via `py_requore()`. In a future
+#' package update this will by default be done in tensorflow's `.onLoad` hook.
+#'
+#' The `py_require_tensorflow()` function that can dynamically modify the python
+#' requirements to enable usage of a GPU if one is available and usable by the R
+#' session.
+#'
+#' The Python packages registered with `py_require()` by
+#' `py_require_tensorflow()`:
 #'
 #' - On Linux: if a GPU is detected: `"tensorflow[and-cuda]"`, otherwise,
 #' `"tensorflow-cpu"`.
@@ -31,17 +41,6 @@
 #' virtual environment with more complete set packages that includes additional
 #' optional dependencies, use [`keras3::install_keras()`].
 #'
-#' @details You may be prompted to download and install miniconda if reticulate
-#'   did not find a non-system installation of python. Miniconda is the
-#'   recommended installation method for most users, as it ensures that the R
-#'   python installation is isolated from other python installations. All python
-#'   packages will by default be installed into a self-contained conda or venv
-#'   environment named "r-reticulate". Note that "conda" is the only supported
-#'   method on M1 Mac.
-#'
-#'   If you initially declined the miniconda installation prompt, you can later
-#'   manually install miniconda by running [`reticulate::install_miniconda()`].
-#'
 #' @section Custom Installation: `install_tensorflow()` or
 #'   `keras3::install_keras()` isn't required to use tensorflow with the
 #'   package. If you manually configure a python environment with the required
@@ -131,6 +130,12 @@
 #' @param new_env If `TRUE`, any existing Python virtual environment and/or
 #'   conda environment specified by `envname` is deleted first.
 #'
+#' @param use_gpu Only consulted if on Linux. It has no effect on macOS or
+#'   Windows. If `NA`, the R package will attempt to detect a GPU. If a GPU is
+#'   detected, then this is taken as `TRUE`, `FALSE` otherwise. If `TRUE`, then
+#'   `tensorflow[and-cuda]` is declared, otherwise, `tensorflow-cpu` is declared
+#'   via `py_require()`.
+#'
 #' @param ... other arguments passed to [`reticulate::conda_install()`] or
 #'   [`reticulate::virtualenv_install()`], depending on the `method` used.
 #'
@@ -372,13 +377,15 @@ has_gpu <- function() {
 }
 
 
-get_py_requirements <- function() {
+get_py_requirements <- function(use_gpu = NA) {
   python_version <- NULL
   packages <- "tensorflow"
 
   if(is_linux()) {
+    if(is.na(use_gpu))
+      use_gpu <- has_gpu()
 
-    if(has_gpu()) {
+    if(use_gpu) {
       packages <- "tensorflow[and-cuda]"
     } else {
       packages <- "tensorflow-cpu"
@@ -402,7 +409,7 @@ get_py_requirements <- function() {
   list(packages = packages, python_version = python_version)
 }
 
-default_version <- numeric_version("2.18")
+default_version <- numeric_version("2.20")
 
 parse_tensorflow_version <- function(version) {
   # returns unquoted string directly passable to pip, e.g 'tensorflow==2.5.*'
diff --git a/R/package.R b/R/package.R
index 8fcc9ca..dad6a25 100644
--- a/R/package.R
+++ b/R/package.R
@@ -37,6 +37,13 @@ tf_v2 <- function() {
 .globals <- new.env(parent = emptyenv())
 .globals$tensorboard <- NULL
 
+#' @export
+#' @rdname install_tensorflow
+py_require_tensorflow <- function(use_gpu = NA) {
+  # register requirements with py_require()
+  reqs <- get_py_requirements(use_gpu)
+  reticulate::py_require(reqs$packages, reqs$python_version)
+}
 
 .onLoad <- function(libname, pkgname) {
 
@@ -61,9 +68,9 @@ tf_v2 <- function() {
   if (!is.null(cpp_log_opt))
     Sys.setenv(TF_CPP_MIN_LOG_LEVEL = max(min(cpp_log_opt, 3), 0))
 
-  # register requirements with py_require()
-  reqs <- get_py_requirements()
-  reticulate::py_require(reqs$packages, reqs$python_version)
+  if (tolower(Sys.getenv("PY_REQUIRE_TENSORFLOW")) %in% c("1", "true", "yes")) {
+    py_require_tensorflow()
+  }
 
   # delay load tensorflow
   tryCatch({
@@ -288,5 +295,8 @@ tf_config_error_message <- function() {
 
   message <- paste0(message,
                     "\nYou can install TensorFlow using the install_tensorflow() function.\n")
+  base::message(
+    'Hint: To use tensorflow with `py_require()`, call `py_require("tensorflow")` at the start of the R session'
+  )
   message
 }
diff --git a/R/reexports.R b/R/reexports.R
index 9497268..24fc92c 100644
--- a/R/reexports.R
+++ b/R/reexports.R
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ reticulate::use_virtualenv
 #' @export
 reticulate::use_condaenv
 
+#' @export
+reticulate::py_require
+
 #' @importFrom tfruns flags
 #' @export
 tfruns::flags
diff --git a/man/install_tensorflow.Rd b/man/install_tensorflow.Rd
index 74690a5..52df6b6 100644
--- a/man/install_tensorflow.Rd
+++ b/man/install_tensorflow.Rd
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 % Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/install.R
+% Please edit documentation in R/install.R, R/package.R
 \name{install_tensorflow}
 \alias{install_tensorflow}
+\alias{py_require_tensorflow}
 \title{Install TensorFlow and its dependencies}
 \usage{
 install_tensorflow(
@@ -19,6 +20,8 @@ install_tensorflow(
   new_env = identical(envname, "r-tensorflow"),
   python_version = NULL
 )
+
+py_require_tensorflow(use_gpu = NA)
 }
 \arguments{
 \item{method}{Installation method. By default, "auto" automatically finds a
@@ -32,7 +35,7 @@ See \strong{Finding Conda} and \code{\link[reticulate:conda_binary]{conda_binary
 
 \item{version}{TensorFlow version to install. Valid values include:
 \itemize{
-\item \code{"default"} installs  2.18
+\item \code{"default"} installs  2.20
 \item \code{"release"} installs the latest release version of tensorflow (which may
 be incompatible with the current version of the R package)
 \item A version specification like \code{"2.4"} or \code{"2.4.0"}. Note that if the patch
@@ -82,15 +85,31 @@ virtualenv. Pass a string with version constraints like \code{"3.8"}, or
 \code{reticulate::virtualenv_starter()}. Note that the Python version must be
 compatible with the requested TensorFlow version, documented here:
 \url{https://www.tensorflow.org/install/pip#system-requirements}}
+
+\item{use_gpu}{Only consulted if on Linux. It has no effect on macOS or
+Windows. If \code{NA}, the R package will attempt to detect a GPU. If a GPU is
+detected, then this is taken as \code{TRUE}, \code{FALSE} otherwise. If \code{TRUE}, then
+\code{tensorflow[and-cuda]} is declared, otherwise, \code{tensorflow-cpu} is declared
+via \code{py_require()}.}
 }
 \description{
-Beginning with reticulate version 1.41, in most circumstances, calling the
-\code{install_tensorflow()} function is no longer necessary, because reticulate
-automatically registers python requirements with \code{reticulate::py_require()}
-when tensorflow is loaded.
-
-The Python packages registered with \code{py_require()} by the tensorflow R
-package:
+This function installs TensorFlow into a persistant virtual environment.
+Beginning with reticulate version 1.41, in most circumstances, creating a
+persistent virtual environment by calling the \code{install_tensorflow()} function
+is no longer necessary, because reticulate automatically will resolve a
+python environment that satisfies all python requirements declared with
+\code{reticulate::py_require()}.
+
+New code is recommended to call \code{py_require_tensorflow()} at the start of an
+R session to declare tensorflow requirements via \code{py_requore()}. In a future
+package update this will by default be done in tensorflow's \code{.onLoad} hook.
+
+The \code{py_require_tensorflow()} function that can dynamically modify the python
+requirements to enable usage of a GPU if one is available and usable by the R
+session.
+
+The Python packages registered with \code{py_require()} by
+\code{py_require_tensorflow()}:
 \itemize{
 \item On Linux: if a GPU is detected: \code{"tensorflow[and-cuda]"}, otherwise,
 \code{"tensorflow-cpu"}.
@@ -112,18 +131,6 @@ declared because at the time of this publishing, the pre-built binaries of
 virtual environment with more complete set packages that includes additional
 optional dependencies, use \code{\link[keras3:install_keras]{keras3::install_keras()}}.
 }
-\details{
-You may be prompted to download and install miniconda if reticulate
-did not find a non-system installation of python. Miniconda is the
-recommended installation method for most users, as it ensures that the R
-python installation is isolated from other python installations. All python
-packages will by default be installed into a self-contained conda or venv
-environment named "r-reticulate". Note that "conda" is the only supported
-method on M1 Mac.
-
-If you initially declined the miniconda installation prompt, you can later
-manually install miniconda by running \code{\link[reticulate:install_miniconda]{reticulate::install_miniconda()}}.
-}
 \section{Custom Installation}{
  \code{install_tensorflow()} or
 \code{keras3::install_keras()} isn't required to use tensorflow with the
diff --git a/man/reexports.Rd b/man/reexports.Rd
index 83fc2ec..5bc309a 100644
--- a/man/reexports.Rd
+++ b/man/reexports.Rd
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 \alias{use_python}
 \alias{use_virtualenv}
 \alias{use_condaenv}
+\alias{py_require}
 \alias{flags}
 \alias{flag_numeric}
 \alias{flag_integer}
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ These objects are imported from other packages. Follow the links
 below to see their documentation.
 
 \describe{
-  \item{reticulate}{\code{\link[reticulate:with-as-operator]{\%as\%}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{array_reshape}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{dict}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{import}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{iterate}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{np_array}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{tuple}}, \code{\link[reticulate:use_python]{use_condaenv}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{use_python}}, \code{\link[reticulate:use_python]{use_virtualenv}}}
+  \item{reticulate}{\code{\link[reticulate:with-as-operator]{\%as\%}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{array_reshape}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{dict}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{import}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{iterate}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{np_array}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{py_require}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{tuple}}, \code{\link[reticulate:use_python]{use_condaenv}}, \code{\link[reticulate]{use_python}}, \code{\link[reticulate:use_python]{use_virtualenv}}}
 
   \item{tfruns}{\code{\link[tfruns:flags]{flag_boolean}}, \code{\link[tfruns:flags]{flag_integer}}, \code{\link[tfruns:flags]{flag_numeric}}, \code{\link[tfruns:flags]{flag_string}}, \code{\link[tfruns]{flags}}, \code{\link[tfruns]{run_dir}}}
 }}