Docker is the most popular platform for building, shipping and running applications in isolated environment called container. To get started with Docker, you need to have Docker software installed on your computer, which is called Docker Desktop on Windows/Mac environment.

In this article, I’d like to guide you how to download and install Docker Desktop for Mac, on macOS operating system.

 

1. What is Docker Desktop?

You know, Docker Desktop is a suite of software applications that enable you to build and share containerized applications and microservices on Windows or Mac environment. It is free for small business that have under 250 employees.

When you install Docker Desktop, you get the following programs and tools installed:

- Docker daemon: is the Docker engine that powers containerized apps

- Docker Client: is the command-line client which you can use to connect to Docker engine

- Docker Compose: is used to build and run multi-container apps

- Docker Content Trust: is used to digitally sign and verify Docker images

- Kubernetes: is the container orchestration system

- Credential Helper: is used to safely store Docker credentials in native stores

Note that on macOS operating system, the Docker daemon runs in a LinuxKit virtual machine, which runs on the Hypervisor framework provided by Apple’s OS. That means Docker is not running natively on Mac - it requires a virtualized Linux OS to operate.

2. Download Docker Desktop for Mac

In order to install Docker Desktop for Mac, your macOS must be version 10.15 or newer. That means you can install Docker Desktop on macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey or newer.

Click this link to head over to the Docker Desktop’s official download page. You’ll see the following download options:

Click the button Mac with Intel Chip if your Mac running on Intel’s CPU (amd64 architecture); or click the button Mac with Apple Chip if your Mac running on Apple’s CPU (arm64 architecture) such as Apple M1.

The result is you have the Docker.dmg file gets downloaded on to your computer.

3. Install Docker Desktop on macOS

Install Docker Desktop for Mac is pretty easy. Firstly, double click the Docker.img file to launch the installer. Then you will see the following dialog:

Drag the Docker’s whale icon into the Applications folder. And wait for a moment while it is copying the data files:

Then you will see the Docker icon appears in the Launchpad. Double click it to start Docker Desktop for Mac. For the first time you need to provide administrator’s password to get Docker Helper installed:

Then the following screen appears:

Check the option I accept the terms, and click Accept to proceed. Wait for a while, then you will see Docker Desktop started as below:

That’s done! You have successfully installed Docker Desktop for Mac on macOS. It’s time to explore and have fun containerizing your applications.

You can also watch the following video to see the installation in action:

 

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• Download and Install Docker Desktop for Windows