Cannot launch docker desktop for mac apple silicon chip

Docker Desktop
1

I installed docker desktop for mac apple silicon chip for the first time, but i couldn’t launch it. I installed it as follows.

・Signed up with this official page(Get Started | Docker) and clicked download button for Mac apple silicon chip.
・Opened Docker.dmg file and dragged and dropped Docker.app into Applications.
・Did a spotlight search for docker and launched it.
・Clicked on the “open” button on the notification screen that says “Docker.app” is an app downloaded from the Internet. Are you sure you want to open it?

No response from the application after this.

Diagnostics ID

EC6FA245-FB25-4171-99A3-652D8ADBF2D8/20241101175415

MacOS Version:
Sequoia 15.1

Console Logs when I am trying to Open the Docker:

image
image1920×1029 238 KB

2 Likes
2

This is macOS trying to protect you from installing a software accidentally downloaded from the internet. The first time it happened to me when I updated to macOS 15.0. Then I went to “System Settings” and chose “Privacy and Security”. I scrolled down to the bottom of the window and there was a warning about Docker App. I don’t remember the exact options there but I could “Accept” I think or “Allow” it. Then I tried again and it worked.

3

I am not seeing any warning in the “Privacy and Security”. Also, I have provided Full disk access to “Docker” Application, still it is not working.

4

Then I probably don’t understand when and how you see the error message. I had no problem with it. Can you share a screenshot about the message when it says the docker app was downloaded?

5

I got the same issue! let me know how you resolve it

6

have you solved it?
because I have the same issue

7

@xnikitax1 @johnnatividad

Do you really have “the same” issue or just that you can’t start Docker Desktop?

There is another current, known issue related to Docker Desktop on macOS:

8

I had the same problem – Docker wouldn’t start. (This is separate from the malware issue.) After much restarting and trial and error, I went to Settings > General and excluded Docker-related listings from “allow in the background.” The moment I did that, the application finally started.

17 Likes
9

Thanks for your help. I solved my problems

1 Like
10

This idea solved my issue. If you see an entry already in the settings then just toggle it. The docker install / uninstall process must have left something in an inconsistent state.

2 Likes
11

appreciate this immensely @lh435

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12

Thank you! Seems like such a random solution that I would never have found

1 Like
13

This worked for me. Thanks a bunch!

1 Like
14

Thank you so much, your solution worked for me.

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15

Thank you very much! Worked for me.

1 Like
16

Screenshot 2025-03-23 at 09.57.34
Screenshot 2025-03-23 at 09.57.34928×340 19.9 KB

Docker desktop was not starting for me, somehow it was just no response.
I was on MacOs Sequoia

I disabled all docker items on General > Login Items & Extensions and magically it worked, sheesh!

1 Like
17

Thanks a lot for the help!! Fixed it immediately @lh435

1 Like
18

How did you even figure this out?

19

Thanks, this worked for me

20

OMG, I can’t believe that worked. I kept clicking to open docker, it would look like it launched, but then nothing happened. I thought it was crashing.

Then, I found this thread and it fixed it. FWIW, I had to go to Settings > General > Login Items

Then, I saw a section called “Allow in the Background”. For me there were 3 Docker items that were in the list. I also found it weird because they were turned on, and I had to turn them off. It feels counterintuitive because it seems like turning it off means it’s not allowed to run in the background, which is what it seemed like it needed to do. Whatever.

Regardless, I can’t believe a company the size of Docker has this secret hoop you have to jump through in order to get it to work on Macs!