Setting Up Docker on Your Local Machine using Docker Desktop (Mac)
Tags: containers, docker, beginners
Published: 2021-02-19 21:56:09

{% youtube Dp4iH_w6MeU %}

Before you can really get started using the Containerization tool **Docker**, it's necessary to install it in on your local machine.

In this short blog, I will show you the steps for setting up Docker (using Docker Desktop) on your Mac.

Note: [Docker's website](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) does a great job of showing the steps it takes to install Docker, so feel free to check it out there. My Blog will cover the steps I personally took to setup the Docker on my machine.

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# Mac Installation


![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/43s1msljzmip3u6336yu.png)

### Step 1: Download Docker Desktop

Visit the Official Docker Website to download Docker Desktop for the Mac here: https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/install/

Once at the page, Select the button "Download from DockerHub" (under the Heading **_Install Docker Desktop on Mac_**)
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/nrm6y491r5kp3oqv3zbf.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

Once at Docker Hub, Select the "Get Docker" button on the right side of the page:

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/67bgvrnqmuiq2lztfpwx.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

When prompted, save file to computer at a location you can easily navigate to.

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/43s1msljzmip3u6336yu.png)

### Step 2: Install Docker Desktop

Once the .dmg file is downloaded, navigate to file, and open the file (double-click). This should initiate the .dmg to be unpackaged.
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/daot29x7u7hj1g8xqqzb.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

After opening, a small window showing the Docker App Icon and your "Applications" Folder should appear. Drag The Docker Icon onto the "Applications" folder (This will allow Docker app to appear in your Launchpad as well)
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/pyaosxz9ppleusiv4mui.gif)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

A prompt that the Docker app is being copied should now appear.
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/wlgy7835r6zb17eakfar.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

Open your Applications Folder (or Launchpad) and you should see that the Docker application has appeared.
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/2j21ichek4u91v364bw0.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/43s1msljzmip3u6336yu.png)

### Step 3: Verify Docker Desktop Installation


Open the "Docker" application (by double-clicking in Applications Folder or single-clicking in Launchpad). Wait a few moments and you should now see the Docker icon appear in your Menu Bar at the top of the screen NOTE: If asked "Are sure you want to open it?" when opening application, select "Open"
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/549bz1xcm4t7g8wtjzj9.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

Now click on the Docker icon that has just appeared in your menu bar and select the "Dashboard" option in the menu
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/zg5ij61i6gqdxvhsh66c.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2ep8plwxymaqiqi5l00x.png)

Once you have selected the "Dashboard" option" you should be presented with a screen that looks something like this:
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/1l43y0gbqatlumrlklpa.png)

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/43s1msljzmip3u6336yu.png)

**Congratulations! you have successfully installed Docker on your Mac**

Now, your next step will be to actually use Docker to containerize an application! In my next weeks blog, I will walk you through what I did to containerize a NodeJS app using Docker.

=======

**Looking to learn more about Containers and containerization?**

Check out great opportunities to learn more about containers and IBM developer site:

[IBM Developer Containers Knowledge Center](https://developer.ibm.com/technologies/containers/)

Also, Get hands-on experience to build applications with speed, agility, and confidence using Red Hat OpenShift with the Kubernetes World Tour near you:

[Kubernetes World Tour](https://developer.ibm.com/openshift-world-tour/)

## ==== BONUS LEARNING ====

#### Containerization: Starting with Docker
https://developer.ibm.com/technologies/containers/tutorials/building-docker-images-locally-and-in-cloud/

#### Kubernetes vs. Docker: It's Not an Either/Or Question
{% youtube 2vMEQ5zs1ko %}

#### Kubernetes Explained
{% youtube aSrqRSk43lY %}

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