Restart Docker for Mac via Terminal

Suppose you want to consistently build, test, and deploy applications across various environments. In that case, the use of the Docker application on MacOS is essential as it can seamlessly integrate with the OS.

However, there are many times when the Docker is not functioning as expected. Then, there is a need to restart Docker on Mac. This article will discuss the steps to restart the Docker for the Mac terminal.

Why Restart Docker on Mac?

• Performance Issues: Most of the time, Docker might consume a significant amount of system resources. This can lead to slow system performance. In that case, you have to restart Docker which can free up memory and CPU resources. That will ultimately improve the overall performance.
• Network Problems: Sometimes, Docker’s networking features might not work as expected. This will cause an issue with container connectivity. If we perform a restart, all of these problems can be resolved.
• Stuck Containers: Sometimes it can be seen that a few containers may become unresponsive or stuck. In those cases, you have to either stop them or restart them. However, if you restart the Docker, major problems can be resolved.
• Software Updates: If you have performed any update on the Docker application or macOS system, then you have to perform a restart operation on Docker certainly. After restarting, the Docker will access all the new features after the update.

What is the Simple Approach to Restart Docker on Mac?

If you are using Docker on a Mac Operating System, then you will find a simple approach other than using Terminal. Once, you have launched the docker application, you will find the Docker Symbol on the menu bar. Clicking on it, you will get the Restart Option. Click on it to simply complete your job without any Terminal need.

How to Restart Docker on Mac Terminal?

If you want to restart docker service on Mac using Terminal only, you have to use some commands on Mac Terminal. This is the process that is a bit more complicated than the above-mentioned simple approach on Mac.

Method 1: Restart Single Container on Mac Terminal

If you want to restart any specific container on Mac Docker using Terminal, then the below-mentioned command will be used. In this command, you need to specify the Container Name. After executing the command, you are not going to get any kind of output.

docker restart  container (Container Name)

Method 2: Restart All Containers on Mac Terminal

Now, if you want to want to restart all containers on Docker Mac at the same time, then the Mac Command will be different. In that case, the below-mentioned command will be launched. It will take some time to complete the process. However, this command does not also provide any kind of output.

killall com.docker.osx.hyperkit

Why Automating the Docker Restart Process is Not Possible on Mac?

• GUI Dependency: Mac Docker relies on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which complicates automation since most automation tools and scripts are designed to manage background processes rather than interact with GUIs.
• Virtualization Layer: Docker for Mac runs inside a Virtualized Environment using the macOS hypervisor framework. This can cause complexity to restart through simple command-line tools.
• System Integrity Protection (SIP): MacOS has built-in security features like System Integrity Protection (SIP) that restrict certain system-level operations. For this purpose. this limits the ability to automate tasks that affect system processes or applications.
• Potential for Errors: Automated restarts may stop ongoing Docker processes or containers. This can lead to unexpected downtime or data loss. It can be seen most of the time especially when it is not carefully managed.
• Lack of Support: Docker for Mac does not include built-in support for automated restarts or recovery mechanisms. However, for some Linux distributions, it can be possible as Docker is managed there as a system service.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the Docker is an essential application used for the development and deployment of applications. However, if there are any issues with the Docker execution and its containers, then simple Docker Restarting could be a lifesaver. For that purpose, you can use the Mac Terminal or Simple Restart approach.