Install Python Package on Raspberry Pi

Installing Python packages on a Raspberry Pi is simple. This guide covers different methods. You will learn to use pip, apt, and virtual environments.

Prerequisites

Before installing packages, ensure your Raspberry Pi is updated. Run these commands in the terminal.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This updates the system packages. It ensures compatibility with new Python packages.

Installing Python Packages with pip

pip is the standard package manager for Python. It works well on Raspberry Pi. Use it to install most Python packages.

First, check if pip is installed. Run this command.

pip --version

If pip is not installed, install it with this command.

sudo apt install python3-pip

Now, install any package. For example, install the requests package.

pip install requests

This downloads and installs the package. You can now use it in your Python scripts.

Installing Python Packages with apt

Some Python packages are available via apt. These are pre-compiled for Raspberry Pi. They may work better than pip packages.

Search for a package with apt.

apt search python3-<package-name>

For example, install the numpy package.

sudo apt install python3-numpy

This method is useful for packages with system dependencies.

Using Virtual Environments

Virtual environments keep projects isolated. They prevent package conflicts. Always use them for larger projects.

Create a virtual environment.

python3 -m venv myenv

Activate the environment.

source myenv/bin/activate

Now, install packages inside the environment.

pip install pandas

Deactivate the environment when done.

deactivate

Common Issues and Fixes

Sometimes, installations fail. Here are common fixes.

Issue: Pip installation fails with errors.

Fix: Upgrade pip and try again.

pip install --upgrade pip

Issue: Missing system dependencies.

Fix: Install the required dependencies.

sudo apt install libatlas3-base libopenblas-dev

For more complex setups, check our guide on Install Python Package in Docker.

Example: Installing a Package

Let's install the flask package. This is a popular web framework.

First, create a virtual environment.

python3 -m venv flaskenv
source flaskenv/bin/activate

Now, install flask.

pip install flask

Verify the installation.

python -c "import flask; print(flask.__version__)"

This should print the installed version of flask.

Conclusion

Installing Python packages on Raspberry Pi is easy. Use pip for most packages. Use apt for system packages. Always use virtual environments for projects.

For other platforms, see our guides on Install Python Package for Azure Functions and Install Python Package in AWS Lambda.