ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '_ctypes' Mac M1

Question

While installing some libraries you may find the issue ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '_ctypes'

Answer 1

确保您正在运行 python 3.8.10 +

Answer 2

Short version:

Try installing python 3.7.13 with pyenv : pyenv install 3.7.13 , and if that does not work, try python 3.7.12 ( pyenv install 3.7.12 ).

The pyenv release 2.2.3 addresses the compilation problems for 3.6.15/3.7.12 on M1 macs, specifically for ctypes .

Long version:

The underlying cause for the _ctypes error seems to be that libffi cannot be found during the compilation, and is therefore (silently) skipped during the Python installation.

There is a comprehensive overview for installing different versions using pyenv at this page , some specific versions require homebrew patches. Here is an overview of those patches . However, I would try installing them without the patches first, as the pyenv team has fixed various compilation problems since that post was written.

The general syntax for installing with a patch is: pyenv install --patch XXX <<(curl -sSL link_to_patch) where XXX is the version you want to install.

Another solution is to use an x86 version of homebrew .

Officially, Python 3.7 and lower are not supported on Apple Silicon .

Answer 3

Updating to Python 3.7.13 (or higher versions) should solve the problem.