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 (October 2026) the latest release is Docker Desktop 4.93. It 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. Docker still recommends installing it with 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 you to accept its Subscription Service Agreement.

It doesn’t ask for your password anymore. Since Docker Desktop 4.89 it installs the command line tools in ~/.docker/bin and adds that folder to your PATH, which needs no admin access.

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

Tagged: Docker · All topics

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