How to Uninstall Docker Desktop on Mac

What is Docker?

Docker is a package software program released in 2013. It's a platform as a service (PaaS) used by developers to build, test, and deploy applications quickly and in packages (that are known as containers). The software is hosted by Docker Engine.

Developers may need to delete and reinstall Docker when they encounter issues or no longer need the app on their computer. However, deleting it isn’t as simple as deleting other Mac apps, given the background processes that come with using it.

Why you might want to uninstall Docker Desktop?

Docker Desktop consumes a large amount of resources by running lots of processes, which can slow down your computer. Maybe you’ve found a similar or better app, or have a different preference for your projects, so you don’t need Docker anymore, and could really use the extra storage space.

A note from our experts:

 

Though there are several ways to uninstall Docker Desktop from your MacBook, most of them demand your time, attention, and knowledge of your way around a Mac. For these reasons, we’ve found that the simplest solution is to use MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller. It automates the process by quickly finding and deleting unwanted or unused apps while keeping your files and data intact, saving you time. Download MacKeeper and see for yourself.

How to remove Docker Desktop from your Mac?

You can delete Docker Desktop via its built-in uninstaller. If you’re comfortable deleting macOS applications, manually uninstall Docker Desktop from the Applications folder. Another option is to use a third-party app to delete Docker Desktop.

1. Use Docker Desktop's built-in uninstaller

We recommend using Docker Desktop’s native uninstaller to remove the app. Not only is it the most straightforward solution, but it also safely removes associated files at no risk to your Mac. In addition, Docker’s built-in uninstaller requires no additional software, making it convenient and cost-effective, too.

Follow the steps below to remove Docker Desktop using its native uninstaller:

1. Open Docker Desktop using the Docker Dashboard or the relevant icon and click the Troubleshoot icon. (Note that the icon may differ depending on your Docker version.)
2. A troubleshoot menu will appear—click on Uninstall. You may be asked to confirm your decision to uninstall the app.

2. Manually uninstall Docker Desktop

Another fix is manually deleting Docker Desktop from your computer. Since this method requires a lot of involvement from you, we typically use it as a last resort or if we’re quite comfortable navigating files and folders in Finder on a Mac. After all, whether you use Docker Desktop’s native uninstaller or a third-party app, it helps to know how to delete the app yourself in case nothing else works.

Follow this approach to remove the Docker Desktop app the DIY way:

1. Quit the Docker Desktop app, go to Finder > Applications, and either drag the app to the Trash or right-click on it and choose the Move to Trash option from the drop-down menu.
2. To remove leftover files, quit Docker, select Go > Go to Folder in Finder, and then paste each path below to get rid of any remaining files. Keep in mind that paths differ depending on the version of Docker you have installed. Also, avoid losing your files by backing them up first. And whatever you do, don't remove files you don't recognize. Choose between these locations:
   • ~/Library/Application Support/Docker Desktop/
   • ~/Library/Caches/Docker Desktop/
   • ~/Library/Logs/Docker Desktop/
   • ~/Library/Preferences/com.docker.docker.plist
   • ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.electron.docker-frontend.savedState
   • ~/.docker/
3. From the Dock, right-click on the Trash can and select the Empty Trash option. This ensures Docker Desktop and its related files are permanently removed from your Mac.

A heads-up from our team: Please note that some file paths depend on the version of Docker you’ve installed. If a specific file path doesn’t work when you search for it, it’s probably not applicable to your Docker version.

3. Uninstall Docker with Terminal

Copy and paste the command: [path to Docker app]/Contents/MacOS/uninstall and hit Enter.

Hint from our team: All you need to delete Docker from your Mac is to enter the command, replacing the information in the square brackets with the full file path. You may have to enter your administrator’s credentials as well.

If that doesn’t work, use the commands below instead. Hit the Return key after each one:

• sudo rm -rf ~/.docker
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.docker.docker
• sudo rm -rf /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.vmnetd
• sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.docker.vmnetd.plist
• sudo rm -rf /usr/local/lib/docker
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Docker\ Desktop
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.docker.docker.plist
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Saved\ Application\ State/com.electron.docker-frontend.savedState
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/Docker\ Desktop
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.electron.docker-frontend.plist
• sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Cookies/com.docker.docker.binarycookies

When you’re unable to delete the app, Mac’s Terminal can be used to install apps with Homebrew on OS X El Capitan and other Mac operating systems, including Sonoma and Sequoia. However, using it incorrectly can cause you to lose important files. To do it right, learn how to use Terminal command line on a Mac and reduce the errors.

4. Use MacKeeper to uninstall Docker

Third-party tools can automatically find and delete Docker Desktop and all related system files within minutes, with minimal involvement from you. For this reason, we recommend using MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller to fully remove Docker Desktop from your Mac laptop, especially if you’re looking for a one-click solution, aren’t comfortable editing Library folders manually, or don’t know where the Applications folder is on a Mac.

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller to quickly delete Docker Desktop from your Mac:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air device.
2. Open the app and select Smart Uninstaller.
3. Click on Applications > Docker > Remove Selected > Remove and wait until you receive confirmation that the app is deleted.

Did you know? MacKeeper is notarized by Apple, giving you peace of mind that it’s safe and free of known malware.

How to clear Docker cache on Mac

Now that Docker is deleted, clear its cache to avoid being stuck with unnecessary files:

1. Open the MacKeeper app and select Safe Cleanup in the sidebar
2. Click Start Scan and hit the Clean Junk Files button once the scan is done. This should remove all cache and junk files on your Mac, including those belonging to Docker.

Tip from the MacKeeper’s experts: 

 

Many factors can cause your Mac to slow down, like loading it with unnecessary files and not deleting apps and programs fully. If you’re decluttering your Mac, ensure you clear cache files to clean the disk effectively. Additionally, as with clearing cache on any other app, deleting Docker cache is one way to optimize your Mac’s performance.

Safely delete Docker Desktop from your Mac

Sometimes, deleting an app is more complicated than downloading and using it. If you’ve found this to be true for you, we’ve offered easy ways to completely uninstall Docker on Mac—whether you want to do it yourself or simplify the process with a third-party app or the native uninstaller.

If you prefer a hassle-free solution, MacKeeper’s Smart Uninstaller is the answer. Use it to save time and avoid making costly mistakes, like deleting your data, when you want to uninstall apps on a Mac. Our tool quickly and safely deletes the apps you want to get rid of while protecting your Mac and preventing unwanted data loss. It also helps to improve your Mac’s performance by completely cleaning unwanted files related to your apps.

Enjoyed this article? Explore our blog developed by Clario Tech team to learn more tips, tricks, and guides, like what unsupported apps are on Mac.