Stuck at installing Python tensorflow on Apple M1 chip computer via Anaconda

Question

We are close to end of 2023, but I'd like to ask if anyone has successfully installed the Python tensorflow package via Anaconda on Apple M1 chip computers as of now?

I just recently tried installing tensorflow using the conda install command, but it's always stuck at solving environment.

I then sought to install tensorflow using brew. But since I'm now using Spyder, I'm not sure if the tensorflow package can work with Spyder.

Answer 1

It is possible to install TensorFlow on the M1 chip, but there are some extra steps you have to do. Generally, you have to first install Miniforge, create a virtual Python environment, and then install Tensorflow and its dependencies.

1. Install Miniforge

   conda config --set auto_activate_base false

2. Create Virtual Environment (with your version)

   conda create --name <your evn name> python=<your version>

3. Activate the env

   conda activate <your evn name>

4. Install Tensorflow (dependencies, metal-plugin...)

   conda install -c apple tensorflow-deps

   pip install tensorflow-macos

   pip install tensorflow-metal