How to Install RPi.GPIO Python Library

The RPi.GPIO Python library allows you to easily configure and read-write the input/output pins on the Pi’s GPIO header within a Python script. Thankfully this library is now including in the standard Raspbian image available from the Foundations Download Page.

If you are using a fresh image you don’t need to install it but I’ve kept the instructions here in case you ever want to try a manually installation.

Method 1 – Install from repository

If the package exists in the Raspbian repository is can be installed using apt-get. First you need to update the available package versions:

sudo apt-get update

Then attempt to install the RPi.GPIO package :

sudo apt-get install rpi.gpio

If it isn’t already installed it will be installed. If it is already installed it will be upgraded if a newer version is available.

Method 2 – Manual Installation

The package is available from http://pypi.python.org/pypi/RPi.GPIO and the current version is 0.7.1 (Feb 6, 2022). If this version is updated you will need to make appropriate changes to the version number in the commands below.

Step 1 – Download the library

wget https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/c4/0f/10b524a12b3445af1c607c27b2f5ed122ef55756e29942900e5c950735f2/RPi.GPIO-0.7.1.tar.gz

Step 2 – Extract the archive to a new folder

tar -xvf RPi.GPIO-0.7.1.tar.gz

Step 3 – Browse to the new directory

cd RPi.GPIO-0.7.1

Step 4 – Install the library

sudo python setup.py install

Step 5 – Remove the directory and archive file

cd ~
sudo rm -rf RPi.GPIO-0.*

This will now mean you can use the library within Python.

Example Usage

‎

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
 
# to use Raspberry Pi board pin numbers
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
 
# set up the GPIO channels - one input and one output
GPIO.setup(11, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(12, GPIO.OUT)
 
# input from pin 11
input_value = GPIO.input(11)
 
# output to pin 12
GPIO.output(12, GPIO.HIGH)
 
# the same script as above but using BCM GPIO 00..nn numbers
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(17, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)
input_value = GPIO.input(17)
GPIO.output(18, GPIO.HIGH)
‎

References

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