Switching Python version installed by Homebrew

Question

I have Python 3.8 and 3.9 installed via Homebrew:

~ brew list | grep python
python@3.8
python@3.9

I want to use Python 3.9 as my default one

Answer 1

Use pyenv. It's a software that lets you switch between any and all Python versions installed on your system. To install pyenv, use the following code in the command-line:

curl https://pyenv.run | bash
exec $SHELL

Then find the name of the python version you want to switch to with this:

pyenv versions

And select it with this:

pyenv global <version-name>

In your case, it's most likely named 3.9.0.

Answer 2

There is an Homebrew known issue related to side by side install of Python 3.8 / 3.9. To workaround, following commands should work for you:

brew unlink python@3.9
brew unlink python@3.8
brew link --force python@3.9