---
title: "Installing Docker on Mac Using Homebrew"
canonical: "https://help.biobam.com/space/BTP/3316482049/Installing%20Docker%20on%20Mac%20Using%20Homebrew"
format: markdown
---
Docker is an essential open-source tool that empowers users to build, deploy, and manage applications within containers. This tutorial will navigate you through the process of installing Docker on a Mac via Homebrew.

### Prerequisites:

- A Mac operating on macOS Yosemite 10.10.3 or a more recent version.
- A minimum of 4GB RAM.
- Administrative rights on your Mac. (Your Password!)
- Homebrew installation. If not installed, <u>[install Homebrew here](https://brew.sh/)</u>.

### Steps:

**Step 1: Open the Terminal**

1. Use the search field to find and open "Terminal".

<details>
<summary>Click to Exapnd</summary>

![image](media://df975df6-b761-49e5-9d88-5fd6780df247)
</details>

2. This opens the terminal.

<details>
<summary>Click to Expand</summary>

![image](media://9c1e7231-14a6-4f1c-a12b-fcd7ce58e4e6)
</details>

**Step 2: Install Docker Using Homebrew**

In the terminal, input:

```none
brew install --cask docker
```

> 📝 **Note:** Upon the initial run of Docker, macOS may prompt for your password to facilitate the Docker installation. Kindly enter your password when requested.

<details>
<summary>Click to Expand</summary>

![image](media://0a49835c-0820-49c9-a065-c153ed52e21b)
</details>

**Step 3: Run the Docker App/Daemon**

Either launch the Docker application or input the following command in the terminal:

```shell
 open -a docker
```

> 📝 **Note:** A cautionary message may appear: "Docker is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?" Proceed by selecting "Open".

The Docker application will initiate and display a startup page.

<details>
<summary>Click to Exapnd</summary>

![image](media://cae8fa08-00cf-466a-a6dd-2c2348af0e8c)
</details>

You can close the Docker application afterwards. The daemon will persistently operate in the background.

**Step 4: Verify the Docker Installation**

After Docker initializes, let's verify that Docker was installed correctly by typing the following command in the terminal.

```shell
docker run hello-world
```

If everything went smoothly, you should see a message on the terminal.

![image](media://816433e5-8382-4f17-a095-795846ad067e)

**Conclusion:**

Great job! If the terminal displays the "Hello from Docker!" message, you have effectively installed Docker on your Mac through Homebrew. As a next step, [set up RStudio](https://biobam.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BTP/pages/3316711439).

---