Install Docker Desktop on Mac

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Welcome to Docker Desktop for Mac. This page contains information about Docker Desktop for Mac system requirements, download URLs, installation instructions, and automatic updates.

Download Docker Desktop for Mac:

Mac with Intel chip Mac with Apple chip

By downloading Docker Desktop, you agree to the terms of the Docker Software End User License Agreement and the Docker Data Processing Agreement.

System requirements

Your Mac must meet the following requirements to successfully install Docker Desktop.

Mac with Intel chip

  • macOS must be version 10.14 or newer. That is, Mojave, Catalina, or Big Sur. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of macOS.

    If you experience any issues after upgrading your macOS to version 10.15, you must install the latest version of Docker Desktop to be compatible with this version of macOS.

    Note

    Docker supports Docker Desktop on the most recent versions of macOS. That is, the current release of macOS and the previous two releases. As new major versions of macOS are made generally available, Docker stops supporting the oldest version and supports the newest version of macOS (in addition to the previous two releases). Docker Desktop currently supports macOS Mojave, macOS Catalina, and macOS Big Sur.

  • At least 4 GB of RAM.

  • VirtualBox prior to version 4.3.30 must not be installed as it is not compatible with Docker Desktop.

Mac with Apple silicon

  • You must install Rosetta 2 as some binaries are still Darwin/AMD64. To install Rosetta 2 manually from the command line, run the following command:

      softwareupdate --install-rosetta

For more information, see Docker Desktop for Apple silicon.

What’s included in the installer

The Docker Desktop installation includes Docker Engine, Docker CLI client, Docker Compose, Notary, Kubernetes, and Credential Helper.

Install and run Docker Desktop on Mac

  1. Double-click Docker.dmg to open the installer, then drag the Docker icon to the Applications folder.

    Install Docker app

  2. Double-click Docker.app in the Applications folder to start Docker. (In the example below, the Applications folder is in “grid” view mode.)

    Docker app in Hockeyapp

    The Docker menu in the top status bar indicates that Docker Desktop is running, and accessible from a terminal.

    Whale in menu bar

    If you’ve just installed the app, Docker Desktop launches the onboarding tutorial. The tutorial includes a simple exercise to build an example Docker image, run it as a container, push and save the image to Docker Hub.

    Docker Quick Start tutorial

  3. Click the Docker menu (whale menu) to see Preferences and other options.

  4. Select About Docker to verify that you have the latest version.

Congratulations! You are now successfully running Docker Desktop.

If you would like to rerun the tutorial, go to the Docker Desktop menu and select Learn.

Updates

Starting with Docker Desktop 3.0.0, updates to Docker Desktop will be available as delta updates from the previous version. When an update is available, Docker Desktop displays an icon to indicate the availability of a newer version. You can choose when to start the download and installation process.

To encourage developers to stay up to date, Docker Desktop displays a reminder two weeks after an update becomes available. You can dismiss this daily reminder by clicking Snooze.

Snooze update

If you have a Pro or a Team subscription, you can skip notifications for a particular update when a reminder appears. Free users will not be required to install any particular update. However, you’ll continue to get reminders to update, which you can dismiss.

Click Download update When you are ready to download the update. This downloads the update in the background. After downloading the update, click Update and restart from the Docker menu. This installs the latest update and restarts Docker Desktop for the changes to take effect.

Uninstall Docker Desktop

To uninstall Docker Desktop from your Mac:

  1. From the Docker menu, select Troubleshoot and then select Uninstall.
  2. Click Uninstall to confirm your selection.

Important

Uninstalling Docker Desktop destroys Docker containers, images, volumes, and other Docker related data local to the machine, and removes the files generated by the application. Refer to the back up and restore data section to learn how to preserve important data before uninstalling.

Where to go next

  • Getting started provides an overview of Docker Desktop on Mac, basic Docker command examples, how to get help or give feedback, and links to other topics about Docker Desktop on Mac.
  • Docker Desktop for Apple silicon for detailed information about Docker Desktop for Apple silicon.
  • Troubleshooting describes common problems, workarounds, how to run and submit diagnostics, and submit issues.
  • FAQs provide answers to frequently asked questions.
  • Release notes lists component updates, new features, and improvements associated with Docker Desktop releases.
  • Get started with Docker provides a general Docker tutorial.
  • Back up and restore data provides instructions on backing up and restoring data related to Docker.
mac, install, download, run, docker, local