pyenv BUILD FAILED on macOS 15.1

Question

I am running into BUILD FAILED Error (OS X 15.1 using python-build 2.5.1) when attempting to install python via pyenv install 3.12.8

bash-3.2$ pyenv install 3.12.8
python-build: use openssl@3 from homebrew
python-build: use readline from homebrew
Downloading Python-3.12.8.tar.xz...
-> https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.12.8/Python-3.12.8.tar.xz
Installing Python-3.12.8...
python-build: use tcl-tk from homebrew
python-build: use readline from homebrew
python-build: use zlib from xcode sdk

BUILD FAILED (OS X 15.1 using python-build 2.5.1)

Inspect or clean up the working tree at /var/folders/d0/gnksqzwn2fn46fjgrkp6045c0000gn/T/python-build.20250126085216.9551
Results logged to /var/folders/d0/gnksqzwn2fn46fjgrkp6045c0000gn/T/python-build.20250126085216.9551.log

Last 10 log lines:
      __locale_localeconv in _localemodule.o
      __locale_localeconv in _localemodule.o
      __locale_localeconv in _localemodule.o
      __locale_localeconv in _localemodule.o
  "_libintl_textdomain", referenced from:
      __locale_textdomain in _localemodule.o
ld: symbol(s) not found for architecture arm64
clang: error: linker command failed with exit code 1 (use -v to see invocation)
make: *** [Programs/_freeze_module] Error 1
make: *** Waiting for unfinished jobs....

I re-installed xcode and set environment variables as suggested in other posts, but that didn't work.

PyEnv BUILD FAILED installing Python on MacOS

Answer 1

I had this issue. It seems I had the x86_64 Homebrew version installed and my Macbook was using it by default, resulting in this error.

Here's how I fixed it:

1. Uninstall x86_64 Homebrew, arch -x86_64 /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/uninstall.sh)"
2. Download and install Homebrew pkg from https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/4.4.20 (as recommended on the Homebrew website)
3. Make sure brew is in your path echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
4. Run brew pyenv install
5. Run pyenv install <whatever_version_you_want>

This issue thread was helpful: https://github.com/orgs/pyenv/discussions/2880

Answer 2

Your pyenv might not be up to date. Try upgrading pyenv by running:

pyenv update

Once updated, try installing Python again:

pyenv install 3.12.8

Let me know if this resolves the issue!