Install PyObjC in Python Easily

PyObjC is a bridge between Python and Objective-C. It allows Python developers to use macOS frameworks. This guide will help you install PyObjC easily.

What is PyObjC?

PyObjC lets Python interact with Objective-C libraries. It is useful for macOS app development. You can access native macOS APIs using Python.

Prerequisites

Before installing PyObjC, ensure you have:

• Python 3.6 or later
• macOS system
• pip installed

Check your Python version with python --version. If you need help, see our guide on installing Python packages.

Install PyObjC Using pip

The easiest way to install PyObjC is with pip. Open your terminal and run:

pip install pyobjc

This will install the latest PyObjC version. For specific versions, use pip install pyobjc==x.x.

Verify the Installation

After installation, verify PyObjC works. Run this Python code:

 
import objc
print(objc.__version__)

You should see the installed version number. If you get errors, check your installation.

Install PyObjC Framework Packages

PyObjC includes subpackages for macOS frameworks. Install them as needed. For example:

pip install pyobjc-framework-Cocoa

This installs the Cocoa framework bindings. Other frameworks include AppKit and Foundation.

Common Installation Issues

Some users face issues during installation. Here are common fixes:

• Use pip3 instead of pip for Python 3
• Run as admin with sudo if needed
• Update pip first with pip install --upgrade pip

For more complex issues, check our PySide installation guide for similar solutions.

Using PyObjC in Projects

After installation, you can use PyObjC in your projects. Here is a simple example:

 
from Foundation import NSURL, NSData
url = NSURL.URLWithString_("http://example.com")
data = NSData.dataWithContentsOfURL_(url)
print(data.length())

This code fetches data from a URL using macOS APIs. The NSURL and NSData classes come from PyObjC.

PyObjC vs Other GUI Frameworks

PyObjC is specific to macOS. For cross-platform apps, consider wxPython or PyGTK. These work on Windows and Linux too.

Conclusion

Installing PyObjC is simple with pip. It unlocks macOS native features for Python. Now you can build powerful macOS apps with Python.

For more Python guides, check our other tutorials. Learn about PyOpenGL for 3D graphics or PyInstaller for app packaging.