Installing Docker on macOS

Jul 10, 2020

Learn how to install Docker on macOS step by step with Docker Desktop for Mac, moving the app to Applications and checking it works with docker version.

~~~

Before we can do anything interesting with our Dockerfile, we need to install Docker.

The exact installation instructions depend on your operating system.

The Docker Website contains detailed instructions for

I am a Mac user and I will show you the exact steps to install Docker on a Mac. If you use Windows or Linux, please refer to the instructions (I don’t have a Windows or Linux Desktop computer to try).

Docker Desktop for Mac is the name of the software you need to install, and you can find it here: https://hub.docker.com/editions/community/docker-ce-desktop-mac/

Once you download the installation file, which is a bit more than 400MB in size, run it and you’ll be asked to move the Docker app to the Applications folder.

Docker installation drag and drop interface showing Docker icon and Applications folder

Do that, then run the app:

Docker app appearing in Spotlight search results showing Docker application in Applications folder

The first thing that happens is that it asks you to install the command line tools, and it needs your permission (and password):

Docker Desktop privileged access dialog requesting password for networking components installation

You will see the whale icon appearing the the Mac toolbar, initially informing you Docker Desktop is starting:

Docker whale icon menu in macOS toolbar showing Docker Desktop is starting status

And when it’s done, you will get a green light:

Docker whale icon menu showing Docker Desktop is running status with green indicator

Now you will have the Docker command line tools installed.

Open your terminal and run

docker version

to make sure everything worked fine.

Terminal output showing docker version command results with client and server version information

Tagged: Docker · All topics

~~~