How to update Python version?

How do I update Python?

Short answer: To update Python, install the new version next to the one you have and point your projects to it. The latest release is Python 3.15.2, from October 25, 2026. On Windows, run py install 3.15 with the Python install manager, or download the installer from python.org. On macOS, run brew install python@3.15 or use the python.org installer. On Ubuntu, add the deadsnakes PPA and run sudo apt install python3.15; on Fedora, run sudo dnf install python3.15. Then check it with python --version and reinstall your packages with pip.

Updating Python almost never replaces the old version. Each minor version, such as 3.14 or 3.15, installs in its own folder with its own packages. So the real question is not only how to install 3.15, but how to make your terminal and your projects use it.

There are two kinds of update:

• Patch update, for example 3.15.1 to 3.15.2: bug and security fixes. It replaces the previous patch and keeps your packages. Install it whenever one comes out.
• Minor update, for example 3.14 to 3.15: new features. It installs next to the old version, and you move your projects to it one by one.

How Python is updated on each system: the Python install manager on Windows, Homebrew on macOS and the deadsnakes PPA on Ubuntu. Each one ends by checking the new version.

Update Python at a glance

Before you start, check which version you have with python --version, or python3 --version on macOS and Linux. For more detail, see how to check your Python version.

Update Python on Windows

python.org recommends the Python install manager to get Python on Windows. It installs, updates and removes versions from the terminal with the py command.

1. Install the Python install manager from the Microsoft Store, from python.org/downloads or with winget:

winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T -e --accept-package-agreements --disable-interactivity

2. Install the new version:

py install 3.15

3. Check which versions you have and which one runs by default:

py list
python --version

To get the latest patch of the versions you already have, run py install --update. It replaces each install with the newer patch and leaves your site-packages folder as it is. To run a specific version, use py -V:3.15.

Other ways on Windows

• Standalone installer: on python.org/downloads/windows, download the Windows installer (64-bit), or ARM64 if your PC has an ARM processor. Check Add python.exe to PATH on the first screen.
• Chocolatey: if you already use it, run choco upgrade python -y in PowerShell as administrator.

Update Python on macOS

macOS includes a python3 from Apple's command line tools, usually an old version. Do not remove it: install the new version next to it.

With Homebrew:

brew update
brew install python@3.15
python3.15 --version

Later, brew upgrade python@3.15 installs the new patches of that version.

With the python.org installer: download the macOS installer from python.org/downloads/macos, open the .pkg file and follow the steps. Then run python3 --version in a new terminal.

With pyenv, if you switch versions between projects:

brew install pyenv
pyenv install 3.15.2
pyenv global 3.15.2

If pyenv install fails with C compiler cannot create executables, install Apple's command line tools with xcode-select --install and try again. More details in what is pyenv and how to install it.

Update Python on Linux

Linux uses Python for its own tools, so never replace or remove the system python3. Install the new version next to it and call it by its full name, such as python3.15.

Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 and 26.04, with the deadsnakes PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.15 python3.15-venv
python3.15 --version

Fedora:

sudo dnf install python3.15
python3.15 --version

Update Python on any system with uv

uv installs Python the same way on Windows, macOS and Linux, without touching the system version:

uv python install 3.15
uv python upgrade

uv python upgrade updates every version installed with uv to its latest patch.

Update Python with AI

An AI assistant such as ChatGPT, Claude or GitHub Copilot saves you time when the update does not go as planned. Give it your system, the version you have and the exact error. These three prompts are ready to copy.

1. Plan the update for your system

I use [Windows 11 / macOS 15 / Ubuntu 24.04] and python --version shows [3.12.4].
I want Python 3.15 without breaking my current projects.
Give me the exact commands for my system, how to check that it worked,
and how to keep my old version for the projects that still need it.

2. Fix "python still shows the old version"

I installed Python 3.15 but python --version still shows [3.12.4].
This is the output of [where python / which -a python3]:
[paste the output]
Explain which executable my terminal is using and how to fix the PATH,
step by step, without uninstalling anything.

3. Move a project to the new version

I have a project with a requirements.txt that runs on Python [3.12].
Give me the commands to create a virtual environment with Python 3.15,
reinstall the dependencies and spot the packages that are not compatible yet.
Here is my requirements.txt:
[paste it]

Read every command before you run it, especially the ones that use sudo or change the PATH.

After updating: move your packages and projects

Each minor version has its own packages, so a project that worked with 3.14 will not find its libraries in 3.15. Move it like this:

1. With the old version, save the list of packages: python -m pip freeze > requirements.txt
2. Create a virtual environment with the new version: python3.15 -m venv .venv, or py -V:3.15 -m venv .venv on Windows.
3. Activate it with source .venv/bin/activate, or .venv\Scripts\activate on Windows.
4. Update pip and reinstall the packages:

python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

If a package fails to install, it may not support 3.15 yet. Keep that project on the previous version until it does.

Common errors when updating Python

Related guides

• How to update Python in the terminal
• How to check your Python version
• What is pyenv and how to install it
• How to install Python
• How to exit Python in the terminal