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docs: add troubleshooting guide for Docker.app is damaged dialog on macOS (#23523)
<!--Delete sections as needed --> ## Description Addresses the non-atomic copy issue when other apps use Docker CLI during a DMG drag-and-drop installation on macOS by: - Adding a pre-install callout to the Mac install page with warnings about closing apps that call Docker - Created a dedicated troubleshooting page for the macOS "damaged app" dialog issue - Added cross-references from troubleshoot index and known issues pages ## Related issues or tickets DKP-2447 ## Reviews <!-- Notes for reviewers here --> <!-- List applicable reviews (optionally @tag reviewers) --> - [x] Technical review - [x] Editorial review - [ ] Product review --------- Co-authored-by: aevesdocker <[email protected]>
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content/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md

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{{< /tab >}}
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{{< /tabs >}}
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> **Before you install or update**
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>
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> - Quit tools that might call Docker in the background (Visual Studio Code, terminals, agent apps).
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>
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> - If you manage fleets or install via MDM, use the [**PKG installer**](/manuals/enterprise/enterprise-deployment/pkg-install-and-configure.md).
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>
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> - Keep the installer volume mounted until the installation completes.
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>
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> If you encounter a "Docker.app is damaged" dialog, see [Fix "Docker.app is damaged" on macOS](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/mac-damaged-dialog.md).
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## Install and run Docker Desktop on Mac
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> [!TIP]

content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/_index.md

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- View specific [troubleshoot topics](topics.md).
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- View information on [known issues](known-issues.md)
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- [Fix "Docker.app is damaged" on macOS](mac-damaged-dialog.md) - Resolve macOS installation issues

content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/known-issues.md

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keywords: mac, troubleshooting, known issues, Docker Desktop
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title: Known issues
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tags: [ Troubleshooting ]
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weight: 30
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weight: 20
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aliases:
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- /desktop/troubleshoot/known-issues/
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---
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{{< tab name="For Mac with Intel chip" >}}
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- The Mac Activity Monitor reports that Docker is using twice the amount of memory it's actually using. This is due to a [bug in macOS].(https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ZiQC1Tp9iH320K-uqVLyiJmk4DHJ3c4zgQetJiKYQM/edit?usp=sharing) on this.
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- **"Docker.app is damaged" dialog**: If you see a "Docker.app is damaged and can't be opened" dialog during installation or updates, this is typically caused by non-atomic copy operations when other applications are using the Docker CLI. See [Fix "Docker.app is damaged" on macOS](mac-damaged-dialog.md) for resolution steps.
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- Force-ejecting the `.dmg` after running `Docker.app` from it can cause the
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whale icon to become unresponsive, Docker tasks to show as not responding in the Activity Monitor, and for some processes to consume a large amount of CPU resources. Reboot and restart Docker to resolve these issues.
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---
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description: Fix "Docker.app is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash" dialog on macOS
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keywords: docker desktop mac, damaged app, move to trash, gatekeeper, installation issues, troubleshooting
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title: Fix "Docker.app is damaged and can't be opened" on macOS
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linkTitle: MacOS app damaged dialog
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tags: [Troubleshooting]
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weight: 30
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---
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## Error message
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macOS shows the following dialog when you try to open Docker Desktop:
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```text
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Docker.app is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash.
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```
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This error prevents Docker Desktop from launching and can occur during installation or after updates.
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## Possible cause
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This issue occurs due to a non-atomic copy during a drag/drop installation. When you drag and drop `Docker.app` from a DMG file while another application, like VS Code, is invoking the Docker CLI through symlinks, the copy operation may be interrupted, leaving the app in a partially copied state that Gatekeeper marks as "damaged".
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## Solution
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Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
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### Step one: Quit third-party software
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Close any applications that might call Docker in the background:
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- Visual Studio Code and other IDEs
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- Terminal applications
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- Agent apps or development tools
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- Any scripts or processes that use the Docker CLI
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### Step two: Remove any partial installation
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1. Move `/Applications/Docker.app` to Trash and empty Trash.
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2. If you used a DMG installer, eject and re-mount the Docker DMG.
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### Step three: Reinstall Docker Desktop
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Follow the instructions in the [macOS installation guide](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md) to reinstall Docker Desktop.
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### If the dialog persists
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If you continue to see the "damaged" dialog after following the recovery steps:
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1. Gather diagnostics using the terminal. Follow the instructions in [Diagnose from the terminal](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/_index.md#diagnose-from-the-terminal).
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- Note down the your diagnostics ID displayed in the terminal after running diagnostics.
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2. Get help:
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- If you have a paid Docker subscription, [contact support](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/support.md) and include your diagnostics ID
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- For community users, [open an issue on GitHub](https://github.com/docker/for-mac/issues) and include your diagnostics ID
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## Prevention
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To avoid this issue in the future:
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- If your organization allows, update Docker Desktop via the in-app update flow
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- Always quit applications that use Docker before installing Docker Desktop via the DMG installer drag-and-drop approach
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- In managed environments, use PKG installations over DMG drag-and-drop
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- Keep installer volumes mounted until installation is complete
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## Related information
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- [Install Docker Desktop on Mac](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md)
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- [PKG installer documentation](/manuals/enterprise/enterprise-deployment/pkg-install-and-configure.md)
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- [Troubleshoot Docker Desktop](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/_index.md)
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- [Known issues](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/troubleshoot/known-issues.md)

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