How to Install Python Pip on Ubuntu Linux
You install Python’s pip package manager on Ubuntu Linux to manage Python libraries and dependencies directly from the command line.
Pip is the de facto standard for installing, maintaining, and upgrading Python packages, acting as your primary tool for accessing the vast Python Package Index (PyPI).
On current Ubuntu versions, like 22.04 LTS, you’ll typically install pip using the command `sudo apt install python3-pip`, often getting a version like 22.0.2.
This lets you easily add any Python package you need with straightforward commands like `pip install your-package-name`.
Install pip for Python 3 using `sudo apt update` and `sudo apt install python3-pip`. Verify the installation by running `pip3 –version`. Pip is Python’s package manager for installing and managing libraries.
How to install Python Pip on Ubuntu Linux
As described above, Pip is a Python package manager for installing, maintaining, and upgrading Python packages. It searches, downloads, and installs packages from the Python package index and other indexes.
Below is how to install it on Ubuntu Linux.
Install Pip for Python 3
To install Pip for Python 3 on Ubuntu, you’ll need to update your package list and then install the python3-pip package using simple commands.
The commands below install PiP to be used with Python version 3.
sudo apt update sudo apt install python3-pip
When you run the commands above, all dependencies required for PiP to function will be installed alongside PiP.
To validate whether PiP is installed, simply run the commands below:
pip3 --version
You should see a similar line below:
Output: pip 20.0.2 from /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/pip (python 3.8)
That’s how to get PiP installed for use with Python 3.
Install Pip for Python 2
If you need Pip for an older Python 2 setup on Ubuntu, you can install it by first enabling the universe repository and then installing the python-pip package.
Again, PiP isn’t installed with Ubuntu, so you must run the commands below to install it.
sudo add-apt-repository universe sudo apt update sudo apt install python-pip
Now that Python 2 is installed, you can install Pip using a get-pip.py script. After enabling and installing the repository above, simply download and run the script to install Python globally.
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py --output get-pip.py sudo python2 get-pip.py
The script will also install Pip, setup tools, and a wheel.
Installing Packages with PiP
Once Pip is installed on your Ubuntu system, you can easily add new Python packages by using the ‘pip install’ command followed by the package name.
If you don’t know how to use PiP, simply run its help command to display helpful command options and how to use them.
pip3 --help pip install --help
You should see helpful commands and how to use them, as shown below
Usage: pip [options] Commands: install Install packages. download Download packages. uninstall Uninstall packages. freeze Output installed packages in requirements format. list List installed packages. show Show information about installed packages. check Verify installed packages have compatible
Creating a virtual environment is always a good idea when working with Python projects. Generally, the PiP package installer is used within Python virtual environments where each environment is isolated for specific projects.
After each project is done, it can be discarded easily.
You want to create a PiP virtual environment within your home folder or directory for this post.
Simply run the command below to create a Python 3 virtual environment called confidential.
First, install the Python virtual environment module by running the commands below:
sudo apt install python3-venv
Then, create a new environment called confidential
python3 -m venv ~/confidentialSimply activate the environment by running the commands below:
source ~/confidential/bin/activateWithin this specific environment, you can begin installing packages via PiP to use Python 3.
For example, to install a Python package called python-openstackclient, simply run the commands below:
Example:
pip3 install python-openstackclient
That should install the python-OpenStack client package to use with Python 3.
To upgrade packages via PiP, simply run the commands below:
pip3 install --upgrade python-openstackclient
To uninstall packages via PiP, simply run the commands below:
pip3 uninstall python-openstackclient
When you finish the Python project, simply run the deactivate command to return to your standard shell.
deactivate
That’s it!
Conclusion:
This post shows you how to install PiP on Ubuntu 18.04 | 16.04 to install and manage Python packages or modules. If you find any error, please report it in the comment form below.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
Try using sudo apt-get update && upgrade before installation. If you’re still having issue, check this forum post to install pip in wsl: https://webmatrices.com/d/135-wsl-install-pip/2
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