How to Install Python 2 on Ubuntu 2404 3 Quick Methods.pdf

This guide walks you through installing Python 2, from compiling the source code to setting up pip.

https://greenwebpage.com/community/how-to-install-python-2-on-ubuntu-24-04/

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April 3, 2025
How to Install Python 2 on Ubuntu 24.04: 3 Quick
Methods
greenwebpage.com/community/how-to-install-python-2-on-ubuntu-24-04/
Tutorials
by Karim Buzdar
April 3, 2025
Although Python 2 has been officially deprecated since January 1, 2020, it is still required
for legacy applications and scripts. This tutorial will guide you through installing Python 2
on Ubuntu 24.04. Although it is preferred to use Python 3, several legacy executables,
scripts, or dependencies only work with Python 2. Like its predecessors, Ubuntu 24.04
will not come bundled with Python 2, which means you will have to install it yourself.
This guide walks you through installing Python 2, from compiling the source code and
setting up pip.
Table of Contents
How to Install Python 2 on Ubuntu 24.04?
Final Words
How to Install Python 2 on Ubuntu 24.04?

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There is no single approach for installing Python 2 on Ubuntu 24.04, and you may choose
from several available options depending on your requirements. Complete the following
steps if you are on Ubuntu 24.04 and want to install Python 2.
Method 1: Compiling Python 2 from Source
If the installed version does not fit your needs, or the installation needs some tweaking, it
can be done by compiling it from the source file.
Step 1: Install Build Dependencies
You will need some additional tools and libraries for compiling Python. Use the command
below to install them:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential checkinstall
sudo apt install libncursesw5-dev libssl-dev libsqlite3-dev tk-dev libgdbm-dev
libc6-dev libbz2-dev
Step 2: Download Python 2 Source Code
Head over to the official Python website to fetch the version of your choice. For instance,
here is the link for the 2.7.18 version:
wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.18/Python-2.7.18.tgz

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Step 3: Extracting and Compiling Python
Once the file has been downloaded, here is how you extract and compile it:
tar -xvf Python-2.7.18.tgz
cd Python-2.7.18
./configure --enable-optimizations
make
sudo make install
Step 4: Confirm the Installation
Run this command in the terminal to confirm the installation:
python2 --version

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Method 2: Set Up pip for Python 2.7
Since Python 2.7 is deprecated, setting up pip for it on Ubuntu 24.04 requires a manual
installation process. Below is a step-by-step guide to installing pip for Python 2.7
securely:
Step 1: Download get-pip.py for Python 2
The official method for installing pip is by using get-pip.py. However, the original URL for
get-pip.py no longer works for Python 2.7. Instead, use the following command:
To setup Python 2 packages, you’ll need to install pip:
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/pip/2.7/get-pip.py -o get-pip.py
This script installs pip for Python 2.7.
Step 2: Install pip for Python 2.7
Now, use Python 2.7 to run the script. This installs pip for Python 2.7:
sudo python2.7 get-pip.py

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Step 3: Verify pip Installation
Check if the pip is installed correctly:
pip2 --version

or

pip2.7 --version
This confirms that pip is set up for Python 2.7.
Step 4: Upgrade pip (Optional)
Since Python 2 is deprecated, the last available pip version (20.3.4) is also outdated. If
necessary, upgrade pip:
pip2 install --upgrade pip
This ensures you have the latest pip version available for Python 2.7.
Step 5: Install Packages with pip
To install Python 2 packages, use:
pip2 install package_name
For example, installing requests:
pip2 install requests

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Step 6: Fix Path Issues (If Needed)
If pip2 is not recognized globally, create a symbolic link:
sudo ln -s /usr/local/bin/pip2 /usr/bin/pip2
Then, try running:
pip2 --version
Method 3: Use Virtual Environments
Even though Python 2 is deprecated, you can still set it up using virtual environments.
This approach helps isolate Python 2 from the system, preventing conflicts with Python 3.
If you need Python 2.7 for specific applications, use virtual environments to avoid system
conflicts.
Step 1: Install Virtualenv for Python 2

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virtualenv is used to create isolated environments for Python 2. Ensure pip is installed for
Python 2:
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/pip/2.7/get-pip.py -o get-pip.py
sudo python2.7 get-pip.py

pip2 install virtualenv
Step 2: Create a Virtual Environment for Python 2
Now, set up a virtual environment specifically for Python 2. -p python2.7 specifies Python
2 as the interpreter. my_python2_env is the name of the virtual environment (you can
change it):
virtualenv -p python2.7 my_python2_env
Step 3: Activate the Python 2 Virtual Environment
After creating the virtual environment, activate it. Now, running Python will use Python 2
instead of Python 3:
source my_python2_env/bin/activate

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Step 4: Install Python 2 Packages in Virtual Environment
Inside the virtual environment, you can install Python 2 packages using pip. This ensures
packages are installed only inside the virtual environment, avoiding conflicts with system
packages:
pip install conda
Step 5: Deactivate the Virtual Environment
When done working in Python 2, exit the virtual environment:
deactivate
This restores the system’s default Python version.
This guide walks you through the process of setting up and running Python 2 regardless
of how you manage the version, whether it’s through a pip install or source compile.
Final Words

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While dealing with legacy software, it is advisable to use a virtual machine since it
enables users to interact with other operating systems without worrying about the central
machine settings. Both of the other methods will compile Python 2 from the source code
and install pip for Python 2.7. With these steps, Python 2 is successfully installed on
Ubuntu 24.04. Python 2 is not supported anymore, so use it on a need-only basis and
switch over to Python 3 for new developments.