Installing Docker on macOS

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Learn how to install Docker Desktop on macOS, pick the Apple silicon or Intel build, move the app to Applications, and verify it works with docker version.

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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. Download it from the Docker Desktop for Mac page. As I write this (September 2026) the latest release is Docker Desktop 4.92, which bundles Docker Engine 29 and the docker compose plugin, so you get the CLI, the engine and Compose in one install.

Pick the build that matches your Mac:

Docker supports the current macOS release and the two before it, and wants at least 4 GB of RAM. On Apple silicon Rosetta 2 is optional now, but Docker still recommends installing it (softwareupdate --install-rosetta) because a few command line tools built for Intel need it.

The installer is a .dmg file of around 600MB. Open 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

(The screenshots in this post are from an older Docker Desktop version. The steps are the same today.)

Do that, then run the app:

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

The first time it starts, Docker asks for permission to install its helper tools, and it needs your password.

You will see the whale icon appearing in the Mac menu bar, 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 have the Docker command line tools installed.

Open your terminal and run

docker version

to make sure everything worked fine. You should see both a Client and a Server section. If only the Client shows up, Docker Desktop is not running yet.

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

Once it’s running, move on to your first steps with Docker.

Tagged: Docker · All topics

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