Apple deprecates Python 2.7 in macOS 12.3 and points developers to alternative languages like Python 3; Python ended support for version 2 on January 1, 2020

they were using it for something. Now they're not. Goodbye. A portent.

MacRumors 2022-01-29 Joe Rossignol

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple has used macOS transitions to withdraw legacy developer dependencies before: Mojave’s 32-bit cutoff followed the earlier App Store submission restriction. The Python 2.7 change extends that cleanup from app architecture to a bundled programming runtime.

Python 2 had already reached end of support, so Apple’s direction toward Python 3 turns an upstream lifecycle decision into a practical migration requirement for macOS developers.

First-order effects

Developers and tools that invoke the system-provided Python 2.7 must move those workflows to Python 3 or another supported language as macOS 12.3 arrives.
Apple stops carrying a deprecated runtime in macOS, reducing its responsibility for a component whose upstream support has ended.

Second-order effects

Mac-focused development tools and deployment scripts must update their interpreter assumptions, pushing maintainers to package or declare their own runtime dependencies rather than rely on macOS defaults.
The change reinforces the pressure created by Apple’s prior 32-bit App Store cutoff: Mac software vendors must keep pace with Apple-defined platform transitions to remain compatible.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues retiring inherited components on this cadence, macOS development becomes less dependent on long-lived system bundles and more dependent on application-managed toolchains.
Apple’s successive runtime and architecture cutoffs point to platform compatibility being governed increasingly by explicit migration windows rather than indefinite backward support.

The trend: Apple is tightening macOS’s supported software baseline by removing legacy components after their transition paths are established.

Discussion

@mikeymikey @mikeymikey on x
HEY. #MacAdmins and Mac developers THIS IS IMPORTANT **REMOVED** https://developer.apple.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
Final tweet on the macOS Python 2.7 removal news: people also seem to be missing that Apple is giving several months of notice for this. It's not the Tuesday update. This is happening in a few months. This is good and responsible and fine to do!
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
Also, Apple has been warning about this for like 3 years, no exaggeration. Yes, choosing to remove it in a point release is odd but this has literally been a warning since 2019. And 2019 was a bit late IMHO.
@eevee @eevee on x
yeah, macos may be removing python in a minor release, but i once bricked an arch upgrade by effectively deleting libc, so, computers are a circus
@thomasareed Thomas Reed on x
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. macOS Monterey 12.3 will remove Python from the system. 😢 On the plus side, I guess now there's nothing standing in the way of learning Python 3! (Other than time... 😄) https://twitter.com/...
@dnsmichi @dnsmichi on x
Finally, no more EOL Python 2 in #macOS 12.3. https://developer.apple.com/ ... (beta) Use @MacHomebrew $ brew install python https://gitlab.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@drdrang Dr. Drang on x
In macOS 12.3, Apple will • Remove Python 2.7 (Yay!) • Not include Python 3.x (Boo!) • But include a stub at /usr/bin/python3 (Yay?) • That prompts the user to install an Xcode tools suite (Sigh) (1/2)
@obra Jesse Vincent on x
Hang on a second. Did Perl actually outlast Python as part of the macOS base install? https://twitter.com/...
@fuzzychef @fuzzychef on x
Apple: we're finally removing Python 2 Devs: wow! Does that mean you're shipping Python 3 with MacOS? Apple: HAHAHA no. https://twitter.com/...
@dabeaz David Beazley on x
Lost from the discussion of Apple dropping Python 2 (and apparently 3 also) is the fact that they were never providing it as a public service in the first place—they were using it for something. Now they're not. Goodbye. A portent.
@brandonbutch Brandon Butch on x
Well this is new (iOS 15.4 Beta 1) [picture of iPhone with an option to use FaceID with a mask]
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
Big news for EU citizens: iOS 15.4 will bring support for adding EU Digital COVID Certificates in the Health and Wallet apps. I tested my Italian vaccination record and it worked with Health. Not in Wallet yet. These will show up under Immunization records in the Health app. 💉 ht…
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
iOS 15.4 beta has a new ‘Use Face ID with a Mask’ option and the masked FaceID icon is absolutely adorable. https://twitter.com/...
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
iOS 15.4 beta adds support for Face ID unlocking with a mask on. This worked right away for me and it's amazing. Details: - You can enable it after the update or in Settings later - You can add support for glasses while wearing masks - No support for sunglasses with a mask on htt…
@nikostratis Niko Stratis on x
tech that will undoubtedly be used to surveil and arrest people who cover their faces for other reasons is not adorable. We have to stop thinking the heel of the boot is cute. https://twitter.com/...
@bzamayo Benjamin Mayo on x
how it started ... how it's going [Touch ID icon without mask, Touch ID icon with mask]
@brandonbutch Brandon Butch on x
Not only can you set up Face ID to be used with a mask, but also with glasses! (iOS 15.4 Beta 1) https://twitter.com/...
@reneritchie Rene Ritchie on x
Yesterday: Apple's a jerk that keeps Sherlock'ing other apps! Today: Apple's a jerk that won't give us a Keychain Password app! Humans are wonderful, whimsical creatures that insist we're intellectually consistent despite all constant evidence to the contrary...
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
@rmondello Shouldn't there be a standalone Passwords app rather than just a section buried in settings?
@stephenrobles Stephen Robles on x
Nice! One step closer to using iCloud Keychain for passwords and secure notes full time: https://twitter.com/...
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
Holy wow Universal Control is incredible. This is me moving between a MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, and an iPad Pro using just the MacBook trackpad and keyboard. It's aware of position, lets you drag files, and supports iPadOS gestures. The hype was real and it all just works 🤯 http…
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
Here's Universal Control working across an iPad Pro with a third-party keyboard/trackpad, a 16-inch MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, a 27-inch iMac connected to an external display, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro. It's absolutely crazy. 🤯 https://twitter.com/...
@apple_tomorrow @apple_tomorrow on x
Using Universal Control right now... This is peak Apple Ecosystem. @Apple, this needs a lot more attention!
@chancehmiller Chance Miller on x
Some early thoughts on Universal Control. TL;DR it's incredible https://twitter.com/...
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
Universal Control is great. So glad it's here. Apple Universal Control is Great! - Everything You Needed To Know https://www.youtube.com/...
@dcseifert Dan Seifert on x
with macOS 12.3 / iPadOS 15.4 Universal Control, my iPad just shows up as another display in my Mac's settings, and i can position it wherever i need to just like any other secondary display https://twitter.com/...
@vadimyuryev Vadim Yuryev on x
Universal Control works shockingly well! So much so that it feels like magic. Almost like when Apple released AirDrop. It doesn't make sense for something to work so well, without any latency or hiccups. Watch this to see what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/... https://twitter.c…
@iamevltwin Sarah Edwards on x
Ugh fine, I'll update geez 😂 https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@cocoaphony Rob Napier on x
That is a surprisingly big move for a dot-release. They've been telegraphing it for a long time, but still. A dot-release. https://twitter.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
Freaking finally. Continuing to bundle unsupported (and frankly unsafe) versions of Python with macOS has been a genuine security risk for years. Glad to see it gone. https://developer.apple.com/ ...
@scriptingosx @scriptingosx on x
“I felt a great disturbance in the code, as if a million scripts suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.” https://twitter.com/...
@gregotto Greg Otto on x
if this protocol is anything like the AirPod connection protocol, this will be a disaster. cant wait to have my mouse constantly connect to the device on the other side of the room when i need it on the way six inches away https://twitter.com/...
@jeffnolan Jeff Nolan on x
nice. I bought a Logitech keyboard that can switch between devices. Universal Control is a nice feature add https://twitter.com/...
@tailosivetech @tailosivetech on x
I think this is 1st time we've seen newer versions of Face ID allow for stuff previous versions couldn't do 🧐 Do you think they're artificially limiting older iPhones? https://twitter.com/...
@gizmodo @gizmodo on x
Apple's New Universal Control Feature for Macs Actually Feels Like Magic https://gizmodo.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@gtinari George on x
apple's software team talking to craig federighi about universal control on iOS 15 launch day [video: desperate tearful person apologizing “I'm so, so sorry, it's been impossible, we've been up against so much, it's just not ready..."]
@maxwinebach Max Weinbach on x
Universal Control is super cool. Just playing with it on my mac and ipad

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