cannot launch docker desktop for mac

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

・signed up with this official page() and clicked download button for Mac intel 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.

Current state

There is a docker app in Applications folder, and Docker in locations(with an eject button). I cannot launch the app, and use any docker commands. The other apps work fine and comfortably.

I tried restart my pc, turn off Firewall and FireVault, and installed again, but the exact same thing happened.

I'm on a MacBook Pro 16 (2019) with the latest version of macOS Big Sur 11.6.

1 Answer

I had the same issue in my Mac. In my case it was working well, suddenly, one day it stops working. After searching a lot, I was able to run it again by the following method:

1. Go to finder and open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.app

2. Find Docker or Docker Desktop (it was in Not responding mode in my case) and Force Kill the app.

3. Run the following command in Terminal:

   sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.*

4. Open the setting file in the terminal:

   sudo nano ~/Library/Group\ Containers/

then find "filesharingDirectories":

5. Remove all entries inside this key and leave it as "filesharingDirectories": [], save and close the file.
6. Finally go to the Application folder, find Docker and run it (wait sometime, it takes a minute or so to run)
7. It will run and work like a charm!

Hope this helps me and others in the future.