Developers use Docker to code, ship, and launch their projects. Recently, we came across a developer query on StackOverflow that asked how to uninstall Docker on MacOS easily. The question’s answer could not be found on the Docker help page. Because some people have the same issue when they try to get rid of this app, we’ve chosen to publish a full, step-by-step guide that shows you two right and complete ways to get rid of Docker from your Mac.
With SupportFly, you can get the best docker consulting service through which you can get detailed information about docker and its commands. So with this blog, we are going to guide you through the step-by-step process of how to uninstall docker on MacOS.
Table of Contents
How to manually uninstall Docker on Mac
On a system, support files are created by every application to ensure that all operations are carried out correctly. These files manage to make their way deep into the system folders in some way. Because of this, deleting the Docker program completely from the computer requires more than simply moving it to the Trash folder.
To entirely uninstall Docker on Mac, it is strongly suggested that you proceed with each of the actions listed below in a cautious and systematic manner:
- First, make sure the Docker app is closed.
- Check to see that there are no Docker processes working in the background that are currently active. Launch Activity Monitor to accomplish this, and then check any and all processes that are currently active on your Mac. If you locate a process with the word “Docker” anywhere in its name, pick that process, and then click the “X” button in the upper left corner of the window to terminate it.
- Open up Finder and go to the Applications folder. Then, find the Docker app and drag it to the Trash.
- Find and remove all of Docker’s application support files now. The Library folder is the typical location for storing documents like this. Since the system Library folder stores important files, users can’t see them by default. If you keep reading, we will show you how to locate the ~/Library directory. To use the Command+Shift+G keyboard shortcut in Finder, hit it. It will open the “Go to Folder” search field when you click it. Additionally, you may access this option from the menu bar by clicking on the Go menu and then selecting the “Go to Folder…” option..
- When the search field appears, enter /Library into it, and then click the Go button.
- You may now go to the Library folder using this access. Check all of its subfolders, and if you find any Docker service files inside, delete them all. To begin, check in the folder named “Application Scripts.” You will find the com.docker.helper folder in this folder. Select it, and then place it in the Trash.
- Then you should analyze the Caches folder, and within that folder, remove the com.docker.docker folder.
- To delete com.docker.docker and com.docker.helper, go to the Containers folder within the Library folder, and then delete both of those files.
- Lastly, to get rid of all the trash that Docker made, look in the following folders:
- /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.vmnetd
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.docker.vmnetd.plist
- /usr/local/lib/docker
- ~/.docker
- ~/Library/Application Support/Docker Desktop
- ~/Library/Preferences/com.docker.docker.plist
- ~/Library/Saved Application State/com.electron.docker-frontend.savedState
- ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.docker
- ~/Library/Logs/Docker Desktop
- ~/Library/Preferences/com.electron.docker-frontend.plist
- ~/Library/Cookies/com.docker.docker.binarycookies
- Empty your Trash when you have finished removing all of the Docker files. Now you’ve successfully completed the process to uninstall Docker on Mac.
It is important to keep in mind that certain applications may store their service files in extra hidden folders on the hard disk of your Mac, and it may be challenging to locate exactly all service files. Because of this, we strongly suggest that you remove applications on your Mac using a method that is both simpler and more secure.
Check Out: Our blog post on how to install docker on mac
How to Uninstall Docker on Mac with Terminal
Terminal is an alternative method for removing Docker. Please be aware that this approach is risky.
- Launch Terminal.
- In the Terminal, run each command consequently, starting at the beginning.
Conclusion
It is not a very challenging task to Uninstall Docker on Mac. If you do this using any of the methods that we have explained, the application and the remaining files that it profoundly inserts into your system will be removed swiftly and without risk, if you do it. Follow the steps given above to uninstall docker on Mac. If you face any difficulty or have any queries, you can reach out to our support team by clicking here.
Docker Desktop may simplify the process of uninstalling Docker, but using the Terminal or Finder to uninstall Docker on Mac will ensure that you face no further difficulties in the removal procedure. Therefore, you should use the approach that provides the greatest results for both you and your Mac.
We have presented you with two different options to uninstall Docker on Mac. On the other hand, we suggest that you make use of App Cleaner & Uninstaller since this software may remove programs from a Mac in a manner that is both comprehensive and risk-free in under a minute. If you download an uninstaller for Docker and other applications, you won’t have to go around for unnecessary files on your computer or waste time manually removing programs. Instead, you can save both of those tasks to the uninstaller.
FAQs
Q1. How do I stop all Docker containers before uninstalling?
Ans: Open Terminal and run docker stop $(docker ps -aq) to stop all running containers.
Q2. How can I uninstall Docker on Mac?
Ans: Follow these steps:
Go to the “Applications” folder.
Locate “Docker” and drag it to the trash.
Q3. Are there any additional cleanup steps after removing Docker Desktop?
Ans: Yes, you may want to delete Docker resources. Open Terminal and run docker system prune -a to remove all stopped containers, networks, and dangling images.
