Set Up Docker on Your Mac M1, M2, M3 in Minutes

Docker is a powerful platform for building, shipping, and running applications in containers. Follow these steps to install Docker on a Mac with an M1, M2, or M3 chip.

Step 1: Download Docker Desktop

1. Visit the Docker Desktop Download Page:

Open your web browser and go to the Docker Desktop download page.

2. Select the macOS Version:

Choose the version for Apple Silicon. This version is optimized for the ARM architecture used by M1, M2, and M3 chips.

Step 2: Install Docker Desktop

Open the Downloaded File:

Once the download is complete, open the .dmg file by double click from your Downloads folder.

2. Drag Docker to Applications:

In the window that opens, drag the Docker icon to the Applications folder.

3. Launch Docker Desktop:

Go to the Applications folder and double-click the Docker icon to launch Docker Desktop.
Security Prompt: : You might see a security warning like the one shown below. This is a standard macOS security prompt. Click “Open” to continue.

Subscription Service Agreement: You will see a screen like the one below. This is the Docker Subscription Service Agreement.

Review the terms and click “Accept” to proceed.
Finish Setting Up Docker Desktop: You will see a screen like the one below. Choose your preferred settings.
- Use Recommended Settings: Select this option and click “Finish”. Docker Desktop will automatically set the necessary configurations.
- Use Advanced Settings: Select this option if you prefer to manually set your configurations.

Privileged Access: You will see a prompt like the one below asking for your password to apply the configurations.
- Enter your macOS password and click “OK”.

4. Welcome to Docker Desktop:

You will see a screen like the one below. You can sign in, sign up, or continue without signing in.

Click “Continue without signing in” to proceed quickly, or sign in/sign up if you want to access additional features.

Step 3: Verify Docker Installation

1. Open Terminal:

Use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and type “Terminal” to open the Terminal application.

2. Check Docker Version:

Run the following command to verify that Docker is installed correctly:

docker --version

You should see the Docker version printed in the terminal.

Step 4: Configure Docker Desktop

1. Open Docker Preferences:

Click on the Docker icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen and select “Preferences”.

2. Adjust Resources:

Under the “Resources” tab, you can adjust the CPU, Memory, and Disk space allocated to Docker based on your needs.

3. Enable Kubernetes (Optional):

If you plan to use Kubernetes, you can enable it under the “Kubernetes” tab.

Step 5: Run a Test Container

1. Run Hello World Container:

In Terminal, run the following command to test Docker:

docker run hello-world

This command downloads a test image, runs it in a container, and prints a message.

2. Verify the Output:

You should see a message indicating that Docker is working correctly.

Step 6: Basic Docker Commands

Here are some basic Docker commands to get you started:

List Running Containers:

docker ps

List All Containers:

docker ps -a

Pull an Image:

docker pull ubuntu

Run a Container:

docker run -it ubuntu /bin/bash

Stop a Container:

docker stop <container_id>

Remove a Container:

docker rm <container_id>

Remove an Image:

docker rmi <image_id>

Step 7: Docker Compose (Optional)

Docker Compose is a tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications.

1. Create a docker-compose.yml File:

Example docker-compose.yml:

version: '3'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "80:80"

2. Run Docker Compose:

Navigate to the directory containing docker-compose.yml and run:

docker-compose up

To run in detached mode (in the background):

docker-compose up -d

3. Stop Docker Compose:

To stop the services:

docker-compose down

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Docker on your Mac with an M1, M2, or M3 chip! You can now start exploring Docker’s capabilities to containerize your applications and manage them efficiently.

If you encounter any issues, refer to the official Docker documentation or seek help from the Docker community.

Additionally, feel free to leave comments or questions below for further clarification!