# Installing Docker on macOS

> 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.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2020-07-10 | Topics: [Docker](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/docker/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/docker-installation-macos/

Before we can do anything interesting with our [Dockerfile](https://flaviocopes.com/docker-dockerfiles/), we need to install Docker.

The exact installation instructions depend on your operating system.

The Docker Website contains detailed instructions for 

- [Windows](https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-windows/install/)
- [Linux](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/)
- [macOS](https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/install/)

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](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.12.15.png)

Do that, then run the app:

![Docker app appearing in Spotlight search results showing Docker application in Applications folder](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.12.29.png)

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](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.12.42.png)

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](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.13.08.png)

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

![Docker whale icon menu showing Docker Desktop is running status with green indicator](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.13.18.png)

Now you will have the Docker command line tools installed.

Open your terminal and run

```sh
docker version
```

to make sure everything worked fine.

![Terminal output showing docker version command results with client and server version information](https://flaviocopes.com/images/docker-installation-macos/Screen_Shot_2020-07-05_at_10.43.54.png)