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

• Homebrew

• (Optional) You saved your existing Docker containers by running the command:

  $ docker save <your_container> > <your_container_archive>.tar

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

Procedure

1. Install the podman-mac-helper tool. Run the command:

   $ brew install podman-mac-helper

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

   $ podman-mac-helper setup

3. (Optional) Import your existing containers into Podman. Run the command for each container archive:

   $ podman import <your_container_archive>.tar

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