Using the podman-mac-helper tool to migrate from Docker to Podman on macOS

Consider using podman-mac-help to migrate transparently to Podman on macOS.

• Continue using familiar Docker commands.
• Take advantage of the benefits of Podman on macOS.
• Your tools, such as Maven or Testcontainers, communicate with Podman without reconfiguration.

The podman-mac-helper tool provides a compatibility layer that allows you to use most Docker commands with Podman on macOS. The service redirects /var/run/docker to the fixed user-assigned UNIX socket location.

Prerequisites

• macOS
• Podman
• Docker service is paused and Start Docker Desktop when you log in is disabled, or Docker is uninstalled.

Procedure

• Set up the podman-mac-helper service for each user. Run the command:

  sudo podman-mac-helper install

  For additional install options please run the command:

  sudo podman-mac-helper install --help

Verification

1. Your tools communicating to the Docker socket, such as Maven or Testcontainers, communicate with Podman without reconfiguration.

2. Use the podman-mac-helper tool to run commands. To run a command with Podman by using the podman-mac-helper tool, prefix the command with podman-mac-helper.

   Example:

   $ podman-mac-helper run -it <your_container> bash

Additional resources

• podman-mac-helper source
• docker save reference documentation
• podman import reference documentation