Docker for Mac install package includes everything you need to run Docker on a Mac. This topic describes pre-install considerations, and how to download and install Docker for your Mac.

Already have Docker for Mac? If you already haveDocker for Mac installed, and are ready to get started, skip to[Get started with Docker]({filename}Getting started with Docker and Django_part_1.md) for a quick tour ofthe command line, preferences, and tools.

Download Docker for Mac

If you have not already done so, install Docker for Mac. This installer is fully baked and tested. This is the best channel to use if you want a reliable platform to work with. These releases follow the Docker Engine stable releases. On this channel, you can select whether to send usage statistics and other data. Stable builds are released once per quarter. | | Get Docker for Mac (Stable) | | Checksum: Docker.dmg SHA256 |

What to know before you install

READ ME FIRST

If you are already running Docker on your machine, first read Docker for Mac vs. Docker Toolbox to understand theimpact of this installation on your existing setup, how to set your environmentfor Docker for Mac, and how the two products can coexist.

  • Relationship to Docker Machine: seeDocker for Mac vs. Docker Toolbox.

  • System Requirements: Docker for Mac launches only if all of theserequirements are met.

    • Mac hardware must be a 2010 or newer model.
    • macOS El Capitan 10.11 and newer macOS releases are supported.
    • At least 4GB of RAM

    Note: If your system does not satisfy these requirements, you can install Docker Toolbox, which uses Oracle Virtual Box instead.

  • What the install includes: The installation provides Docker Engine, Docker CLI client,Docker Compose, and Docker Machine).

Install and run Docker for Mac

  1. Double-click Docker.dmg to open the installer, then drag Moby the whale tothe Applications folder.

    Install Docker app

  2. Double-click Docker.app in the Applications folder to start Docker.

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    You are prompted to authorize Docker.app with your system password after you launch it.

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    The whale in the top status bar indicates that Docker is running, and accessible from a terminal.

    Whale in menu bar

    If you just installed the app, you also get a success message with suggestednext steps and a link to this documentation. Click the whale whalemenu in the status bar todismiss this popup.

    Startup information

  3. Click the whale (whale menu) to get Preferences and other options.

  4. Select About Docker to verify that you have the latest version.

Congratulations! You are up and running with Docker for Mac.