Uninstall python.org Pythons (macOS)

A tiny POSIX-sh script to remove Python versions installed via the official python.org macOS installers.
It’s safe by default (dry run). Add --yes to actually delete.

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What it does

• Finds versions under: /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/<ver>
• Removes matching app folders: /Applications/Python <ver> (IDLE, bundled scripts)
• Deletes /usr/local/bin symlinks that point into that framework
• Forgets related pkgutil receipts (so macOS no longer lists them)

What it doesn’t touch

• Apple’s system Python in /usr/bin
• Homebrew Pythons in /opt/homebrew or /usr/local/opt
• pyenv/Conda environments

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Usage

Save the script as uninstall_python_org.sh, then:

1) Preview (dry run)

sh uninstall_python_org.sh

2) Remove all python.org installs

sh uninstall_python_org.sh --yes

3) Remove specific versions only

sh uninstall_python_org.sh --yes --versions 3.10 3.11

Tip: You can use bash or zsh too — it’s POSIX compatible.

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Output & verification

After running, you’ll see what was removed (or would be removed in dry-run).
Verify your default Python:

which python3
python3 --version

If you’re moving to Homebrew Python:

brew install python@3.12
brew link --overwrite python@3.12

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Requirements

• macOS (works with the default /bin/sh)
• sudo privileges (only required when actually deleting with --yes)

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Uninstall logic (summary)

1. List framework versions in /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions
2. Optionally filter by --versions
3. Remove /Applications/Python <ver>
4. Remove /usr/local/bin symlinks pointing into that framework version
5. pkgutil --forget the receipts for that version

Everything is echoed in dry-run mode so you can see exactly what will happen.

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Troubleshooting

• “command not found: sh” — use bash or zsh:

  bash uninstall_python_org.sh --yes

• Permission denied — you’ll be prompted for sudo on first deletion.
• Python still points to old path — check your shell startup files for custom PATH entries and remove stale overrides.

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Licence

MIT — do whatever you like, no warranty.

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Disclaimer

Use at your own risk. Read the script before running; it’s short and intentionally conservative.