Install Docker Desktop on Mac Estimated reading time:6 minutesDocker Desktop for Mac is the version of Docker for Mac.You can download Docker Desktop for Mac from Docker Hub.By downloading Docker Desktop, you agree to the terms of the and the. What to know before you installREADME FIRST for Docker Toolbox and Docker Machine usersIf you are already running Docker on your machine, first readto understand theimpact of this installation on your existing setup, how to set your environmentfor Docker Desktop on Mac, and how the two products can coexist.Relationship to Docker Machine: Installing Docker Desktop on Mac does not affect machines you created with Docker Machine. You have the option to copy containers and images from your local default machine (if one exists) to the Docker Desktop VM. Whenyou are running Docker Desktop, you do not need Docker Machine nodes running locally (or anywhere else). With Docker Desktop, you have a new, nativevirtualization system running (HyperKit) which takes the place of theVirtualBox system. To learn more, see. System requirementsYour Mac must meet the following requirements to successfully install Docker Desktop:.Mac hardware must be a 2010 or a newer model, with Intel’s hardware support for memory management unit (MMU) virtualization, including Extended Page Tables (EPT) and Unrestricted Mode.
Docker Toolbox for older versions of Mac OS. If you are running Mac OS 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later, follow these instructions to install Docker Toolbox. Issue is reproducible - I tried installing multiple times to ensure it wasn't a bad download. Diagnostic logs. I uploaded via the tool. Steps to reproduce the behavior. Download Docker for Mac package. Move Docker.app into /Applications. Start Docker.app.
You can check to see if your machine has this support by running the following command in a terminal: sysctl kern.hvsupportIf your Mac supports the Hypervisor framework, the command prints kern.hvsupport: 1.macOS must be version 10.13 or newer. That is, Catalina, Mojave, or High Sierra. 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.
Docker Desktop currently supports macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, and macOS High Sierra.As new major versions of macOS are made generally available, Docker stops supporting the oldest version and support the newest version of macOS (in addition to the previous two releases).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.What’s included in the installerThe Docker Desktop installation includes, Docker CLI client,. Install and run Docker Desktop on Mac.Double-click Docker.dmg to open the installer, then drag the Docker icon tothe Applications folder.Double-click Docker.app in the Applications folder to start Docker. (In the example below, the Applications folder is in “grid” view mode.)You are prompted to authorize Docker.app with your system password after you launch it.Privileged access is needed to install networking components and links to the Docker apps.The Docker menu in the top status bar indicates that Docker Desktop is running, and accessible from a terminal.If you just installed the app, you also get a message with suggestednext steps and a link to the documentation.
Click the Docker menu ( ) in the status bar todismiss this pop-up notification.Click the Docker menu ( ) to seePreferences and other options.Select About Docker to verify that you have the latest version.Congratulations! You are now successfully running Docker Desktop.
Uninstall Docker DesktopTo unistall Docker Desktop from your Mac:. From the Docker menu, select Troubleshoot and then select Uninstall. Click Uninstall to confirm your selection.Note: Uninstalling Docker Desktop will destroy Docker containers and images local to the machine and remove the files generated by the application. Switch between Stable and Edge versionsDocker Desktop allows you to switch between Stable and Edge releases. However, you can only have one version of Docker Desktop installed at a time. Switching between Stable and Edge versions can destabilize your development environment, particularly in cases where you switch from a newer (Edge) channel to an older (Stable) channel.For example, containers created with a newer Edge version of Docker Desktop maynot work after you switch back to Stable because they may have been createdusing Edge features that aren’t in Stable yet. Keep this in mind asyou create and work with Edge containers, perhaps in the spirit of a playgroundspace where you are prepared to troubleshoot or start over.To safely switch between Edge and Stable versions, ensure you save images and export the containers you need, then uninstall the current version before installing another.
For more information, see the section Save and Restore data below. Save and restore dataYou can use the following procedure to save and restore images and container data. For example, if you want to switch between Edge and Stable, or to reset your VM disk:.Use docker save -o images.tar image1 image2. to save any images youwant to keep. See in the DockerEngine command line reference.Use docker export -o myContainner1.tar container1 to export containers youwant to keep. See in theDocker Engine command line reference.Uninstall the current version of Docker Desktop and install a different version (Stable or Edge), or reset your VM disk.Use docker load -i images.tar to reload previously saved images. Seein the Docker Engine.Use docker import -i myContainer1.tar to create a filesystem imagecorresponding to the previously exported containers.
Seein the Docker Engine.For information on how to back up and restore data volumes, see. Where to go next. 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. describes common problems, workarounds, howto run and submit diagnostics, and submit issues.
provide answers to frequently asked questions. lists component updates, new features, andimprovements associated with Stable releases. For information about Edge releases, see. provides a general Docker tutorial.,.
Although Linux might be the foundation for which most enterprise-level businesses are built, it takes a village of platforms to keep it going. One such platform that is often seen as an ideal developer environment is Apple’s macOS. It’s solid, runs on some of the best hardware on the market, and integrates with peripherals and devices like no other.But for many macOS users, the idea of installing Docker and Kubernetes, might be a bit daunting. If you’ve ever attempted to install Kubernetes on Linux, you know it’s not a point and click affair.
But what about macOS? Does the installation of these two tools require opening a terminal window and working with numerous (and sometimes complicated) commands?You’re in luck, as there’s a macOS GUI for that very purpose.Thanks to the developers of, getting both Docker and Kubernetes up and running on your platform of choice is incredibly simple.
Once installed, you’ll have quick access to repositories, the full complement of Docker commands, easy installation of (a GUI for container management), and even if you wish to do some testing or just learn how Kubernetes works.Let’s find out how to install this must-have tool for macOS container developers. InstallationThe first thing to do is download the. Once that file is saved on your drive, open Finder and navigate to the folder housing the download. Locate and double-click the Docker.dmg file. When the Docker window opens ( Figure A), click and drag the Docker icon to the Applications folder. Figure B: The Docker Desktop menu.You’re now ready to install a few more components. Installing KitematicFor those who’d prefer not to have to rely solely on the command line, there is the Kitematic GUI.
Before you can install Kitematic, you must first install Git. In order to install Git, download the. Once downloaded, open Finder, navigate to the folder housing the file, double-click the installer, and walk through the easy-to-follow instructions.Once Git is installed, you can install Kitematic. Although there is an entry in the Docker Desktop menu for Kitematic installation, don’t use it as it will not result in a successful installation. Instead, download the latest version of Kitematic from. Once that file is downloaded, open Finder, navigate to the folder housing the file, double-click the installation, and walk through the simple instructions.At this point, make sure to click the Docker Desktop icon and click the Sign-in entry.
Use your Docker Hub account credentials in order to link Docker Desktop to your repositories. Installing KubernetesFor our next trick, we’ll install Kubernetes support for Docker Desktop.
To do this, click the Docker Desktop icon and select Preferences. In the resulting window ( Figure C), click on the Kubernetes tab. Figure F: Kubernetes is up and running. Using Docker DesktopThis is where it gets a bit confusing. You don’t actually use Docker Desktop for working with your containers. Docker Desktop gives you easy access to the tools that allow you to develop and deploy containers.
For instance, you can now open a terminal window and start using the docker command as you would from Linux. You could pull down images, modify images, push images, deploy containers and more.Or, you could opt to work with Kitematic.
To open Kitematic click on the Docker Desktop icon and then click Kitematic. When you first run the tool, you’ll be required to give it accessibility privileges. From within the Security & Privacy window ( Figure G), make sure to click the checkbox associated with Kitematic. Figure I: Kitematic is ready to serve.You can now start working with images and deploying containers, all from a handy GUI tool. Download an image you want to work with, modify it to suit your needs and deploy.As for Kubernetes, it is all handled via the command line, unless you install a third-party tool (such as ). The good news is, since you have Kubernetes already running on your Mac, the hard part is taken care of.
Simply install a third-party GUI tool and you’re ready to start working with your instance of Kubernetes. With the likes of Kubernetic, you can easily create Pods, Services, Ingresses, Deployments and more, all without having to open a terminal window. Of course, if you are serious about learning both Docker and Kubernetes, you should probably make yourself at home with the command line as well. Easy Docker and KubernetesThanks to Docker Desktop, getting both Docker and Kubernetes up and running on your Mac doesn’t have to be a barrier to entry. With this handy tool, you can be up and running with two of the most important technology building blocks on the market.