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Stable and Edge releases

How do I get the Stable or the Edge version of Docker Desktop?

You can download the Stable or the Edge version of Docker Desktop from Docker Hub.

For installation instructions, see Install Docker Desktop on Mac.

Mac computers can have relatively small hard drives like 128GB or 265GB which Outlook 2016 for Mac can gobble up. Unfortunately, Outlook for Mac, even the latest Outlook 2016 doesn’t have some of the space saving options available to Office for Windows. Mar 19, 2020  Large Log files in /Library/Group Containers I'm getting really large files with names very similar to: MicrosoftShipAssertLogONMC15599.txt in the Group Containers folder within my Library. The files are quite large, and quickly ballooned up to 15GB in size. Jan 12, 2020  You can access the hidden Library folder without using Terminal, which has the side effect of revealing every hidden file on your Mac. This method will only make the Library folder visible, and only for as long as you keep the Finder window for the Library folder open. Mar 21, 2013  Go to the Apple menu and select About This Mac. And that folder can balloon in size. That’s why I make sure to check it and empty it every year or so. Type /Library/Containers/com.apple.

Set the default size for new Docker for Mac disk images. UPDATE: The instructions here are no longer necessary!Resizing the disk image is now possible right from the UI since Docker for Mac Version 17.12.0-ce-mac49 (21995).

What is the difference between the Stable and Edge versions of Docker Desktop?

Two different download channels are available in the Community version of Docker Desktop:

The Stable channel provides a general availability release-ready installer for a fully baked and tested, more reliable app. The Stable version of Docker Desktop comes with the latest released version of Docker Engine. The releaseschedule is synched with Docker Engine releases and patch releases. On the Stable channel, you can select whether to send usage statistics and other data.

The Edge channel provides an installer with new features we are working on, but is not necessarily fully tested. It comes with the experimental version of Docker Engine. Bugs, crashes, and issues are more likely to occur with the Edge version, but you get a chance to preview new functionality, experiment, and provide feedback as the apps evolve. Releases are typically more frequent than for Stable, often one or more per month. Usage statistics and crash reports are sent by default. You do not have the option to disable this on the Edge channel.

Can I switch between Stable and Edge versions of Docker Desktop?

Yes, you can switch between Stable and Edge versions. You can try out the Edge releases to see what’s new, then go back to Stable for other work. However, you can only have one version of Docker Desktop installed at a time. For more information, see Switch between Stable and Edge versions.

What is Docker.app?

Docker.app is Docker Desktop on Mac. It bundles the Docker client and Docker Engine. Docker.app uses the macOS Hypervisor.framework to run containers, which means that a separate VirtualBox is not required to run Docker Desktop.

What are the system requirements for Docker Desktop?

You need a Mac that supports hardware virtualization. For more information, see Docker Desktop Mac system requirements.

What is an experimental feature?

Experimental features provide early access to future product functionality.These features are intended for testing and feedback only as they may changebetween releases without warning or can be removed entirely from a futurerelease. Experimental features must not be used in production environments.Docker does not offer support for experimental features.

To enable experimental features in the Docker CLI, edit the config.jsonfile and set experimental to enabled.

To enable experimental features from the Docker Desktop menu, clickSettings (Preferences on macOS) > Command Line and then turn onthe Enable experimental features toggle. Click Apply & Restart.

How do I?

How do I connect to the remote Docker Engine API?

You might need to provide the location of the Engine API for Docker clients anddevelopment tools.

On Docker Desktop, clients can connect to the Docker Engine through a Unixsocket: unix:///var/run/docker.sock.

See also Docker Engine API and Docker Desktop for Mac forums topicUsing pycharm Docker plugin...

If you are working with applications like Apache Maventhat expect settings for DOCKER_HOST and DOCKER_CERT_PATH environmentvariables, specify these to connect to Docker instances through Unix sockets.For example:

Mac Group Containers

How do I connect from a container to a service on the host?

Mac has a changing IP address (or none if you have no network access). We recommend that you attach an unused IP to the lo0 interface on theMac so that containers can connect to this address.

For more information and examples, seeI want to connect from a container to a service on the host in the Networking topic.

How do I connect to a container from Mac?

We recommend that you publish a port, or connect from another container. You can use the same method on Linux if the container is on an overlay network and not a bridge network, as these are not routed.

For more information and examples, seeI want to connect to a container from the Mac in the Networking topic.

Can I use an SSH agent inside a container?

Yes, you can use the host’s SSH agent inside a container. For more information, see SSH agent forwarding.

How do I add custom CA certificates?

Docker Desktop supports all trusted certificate authorities (CAs) (root or intermediate). For more information on adding server and client side certs, seeAdd TLS certificates in the Getting Started topic.

Mac Library Containers Folder

How do I add client certificates?

For information on adding client certificates, seeAdd client certificates in the Getting Started topic.

Can I pass through a USB device to a container?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to pass through a USB device (or aserial port) to a container as it requires support at the hypervisor level.

Can I run Docker Desktop in nested virtualization scenarios?

Docker Desktop can run inside a Windows 10 VM running on apps like Parallels or VMware Fusion on a Mac provided that the VM is properly configured. However, problems and intermittent failures may still occur due to the way these apps virtualize the hardware. For these reasons, Docker Desktop is not supported in nested virtualization scenarios. It might work in some cases, and not in others. For more information, see Running Docker Desktop in nested virtualization scenarios.

Components of Docker Desktop

What is HyperKit?

HyperKit is a hypervisor built on top of the Hypervisor.framework in macOS. It runs entirely in userspace and has no otherdependencies.

We use HyperKit to eliminate the need for other VM products, such as OracleVirtualBox or VMWare Fusion.

What is the benefit of HyperKit?

HyperKit is thinner than VirtualBox and VMWare fusion, and the version we include is customized for Docker workloads on Mac.

Why is com.docker.vmnetd running after I quit the app?

The privileged helper process com.docker.vmnetd is started by launchd andruns in the background. The process does not consume any resources unlessDocker.app connects to it, so it’s safe to ignore.

Feedback

What kind of feedback are we looking for?

Everything is fair game. We’d like your impressions on the download-installprocess, startup, functionality available, the GUI, usefulness of the app,command line integration, and so on. Tell us about problems, what you like, orfunctionality you’d like to see added.

What if I have problems or questions?

You can find information about diagnosing and troubleshooting common issues in the Logs and Troubleshooting topic.

If you do not find a solution in Troubleshooting, browse issues onDocker Desktop for Mac issues on GitHub or create a new one. You can also create new issues based on diagnostics. To learn more, seeDiagnose problems, send feedback, and create GitHub issues.

The Docker Desktop for Mac forumprovides discussion threads as well, and you can create discussion topics there,but we recommend using the GitHub issues over the forums for better tracking andresponse.

How can I opt out of sending my usage data?

If you do not want to send of usage data, use the Stable channel. For moreinformation, see What is the difference between the Stable and Edge versions of Docker Desktop.

How is personal data handled in Docker Desktop?

When uploading diagnostics to help Docker with investigating issues, theuploaded diagnostics bundle may contain personal data such as usernames and IPaddresses. The diagnostics bundles are only accessible to Docker, Inc. employeeswho are directly involved in diagnosing Docker Desktop issues.

By default Docker, Inc. will delete uploaded diagnostics bundles after 30 days unless they are referenced in an open issue on thedocker/for-mac ordocker/for-win issue trackers. If anissue is closed, Docker, Inc. will remove the referenced diagnostics bundleswithin 30 days. You may also request the removal of a diagnostics bundle byeither specifying the diagnostics ID or via your GitHub ID (if the diagnosticsID is mentioned in a GitHub issue). Docker, Inc. will only use the data in thediagnostics bundle to investigate specific user issues, but may derive high-level (non personal) metrics such as the rate of issues from it.

Optimized Storage in macOS Sierra and later* can save space by storing your content in iCloud and making it available on demand. When storage space is needed, files, photos, movies, email attachments, and other files that you seldom use are stored in iCloud automatically. Each file stays right where you last saved it, and downloads when you open it. Files that you’ve used recently remain on your Mac, along with optimized versions of your photos.

* If you haven't yet upgraded to macOS Sierra or later, learn about other ways to free up storage space.

Find out how much storage is available on your Mac

Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, then click Storage. This is an overview of available storage space on your Mac, as well as the space used by different categories of files:

Shipping Containers Size

Click the Manage button to open the Storage Management window, pictured below. (The Manage button is available only in macOS Sierra or later.)

Manage storage on your Mac

The Storage Management window offers recommendations for optimizing your storage. If some recommendations are already turned on, you will see fewer recommendations.

Store in iCloud

Click the Store in iCloud button, then choose from these options:

• Desktop and Documents. Store all files from these two locations in iCloud Drive. When storage space is needed, only the files you recently opened are kept on your Mac, so that you can easily work offline. Files stored only in iCloud show a download icon , which you can double-click to download the original file. Learn more about this feature.
  
• Photos. Store all original, full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud Photos. When storage space is needed, only space-saving (optimized) versions of photos are kept on your Mac. To download the original photo or video, just open it.
  
• Messages. Store all messages and attachments in iCloud. When storage space is needed, only the messages and attachments you recently opened are kept on your Mac. Learn more about Messages in iCloud.

Storing files in iCloud uses the storage space in your iCloud storage plan. If you reach or exceed your iCloud storage limit, you can either buy more iCloud storage or make more iCloud storage available. iCloud storage starts at 50GB for $0.99 (USD) a month, and you can purchase additional storage directly from your Apple device. Learn more about prices in your region.

Optimize Storage

Click the Optimize button, then choose from these options.

• Automatically remove watched movies and TV shows. When storage space is needed, movies or TV shows that you purchased from the iTunes Store and already watched are removed from your Mac. Click the download icon next to a movie or TV show to download it again.
  
• Download only recent attachments. Mail automatically downloads only the attachments that you recently received. You can manually download any attachments at any time by opening the email or attachment, or saving the attachment to your Mac.
  
• Don't automatically download attachments. Mail downloads an attachment only when you open the email or attachment, or save the attachment to your Mac.

Optimizing storage for movies, TV shows, and email attachments doesn't require iCloud storage space.

Empty Trash Automatically

Empty Trash Automatically permanently deletes files that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days.

Reduce Clutter

Reduce Clutter helps you to identify large files and files you might no longer need. Click the Review Files button, then choose any of the file categories in the sidebar, such as Applications, Documents, Music Creation, or Trash.

You can delete the files in some categories directly from this window. Other categories show the total storage space used by the files in each app. You can then open the app and decide whether to delete files from within it.

Learn how to redownload apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books.

Where to find the settings for each feature

The button for each recommendation in the Storage Management window affects one or more settings in other apps. You can also control those settings directly within each app.

• If you're using macOS Catalina, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Apple ID, then select iCloud in the sidebar: Store in iCloud turns on the Optimize Mac Storage setting on the right. Then click Options next to iCloud Drive: Store in iCloud turns on the Desktop & Documents Folders setting. To turn off iCloud Drive entirely, deselect iCloud Drive.
  In macOS Mojave or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Options next to iCloud Drive. Store in iCloud turns on the Desktop & Documents Folders and Optimize Mac Storage settings.
• In Photos, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud. Store in iCloud selects iCloud Photos and Optimize Mac Storage.
• In Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. Store in iCloud selects Enable Messages in iCloud.

• If you're using macOS Catalina, open the Apple TV app, choose TV > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Files. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
  In macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes, choose iTunes > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Advanced. Optimize Storage selects “Automatically delete watched movies and TV shows.”
• In Mail, choose Mail > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Accounts. In the Account Information section on the right, Optimize Storage sets the Download Attachments menu to either Recent or None.

Empty Trash Automatically: From the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Advanced. Empty Trash Automatically selects “Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.”

Other ways that macOS helps automatically save space

With macOS Sierra or later, your Mac automatically takes these additional steps to save storage space:

• Detects duplicate downloads in Safari, keeping only the most recent version of the download
• Reminds you to delete used app installers
• Removes old fonts, languages, and dictionaries that aren't being used
• Clears caches, logs, and other unnecessary data when storage space is needed

How to free up storage space manually

Even without using the Optimized Storage features of Sierra or later, you can take other steps to make more storage space available:

• Music, movies, and other media can use a lot of storage space. Learn how to delete music, movies, and TV shows from your device.
• Delete other files that you no longer need by moving them to the Trash, then emptying the Trash. The Downloads folder is good place to look for files that you might no longer need.
• Move files to an external storage device.
• Compress files.
• Delete unneeded email: In the Mail app, choose Mailbox > Erase Junk Mail. If you no longer need the email in your Trash mailbox, choose Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items.

Learn more

Mac Container Line

• When you duplicate a file on an APFS-formatted volume, that file doesn't use additional storage space on the volume. Deleting a duplicate file frees up only the space required by any data you might have added to the duplicate. If you no longer need any copies of the file, you can recover all of the storage space by deleting both the duplicate and the original file.
• If you're using a pro app and Optimize Mac Storage, learn how to make sure that your projects are always on your Mac and able to access their files.