Home / Docker / Installing Docker on Ubuntu

Installing Docker on Ubuntu

Introduction

This guide explains how to install Docker on your Linux system using the official get.docker.com script. This method is quick and ensures you have the latest Docker version.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Ensure your system is up to date before proceeding:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

Step 2: Download and Run the Installation Script

Use the following command to download and execute the Docker installation script:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

The script detects your operating system and installs Docker accordingly.

Step 3: Verify Docker Installation

After installation, verify that Docker is installed and running:

docker --version

This should display the installed Docker version. You can also check the Docker service status:

sudo systemctl status docker

Step 4: Add Your User to the Docker Group (Optional)

By default, Docker requires root privileges. To run Docker without using sudo, add your user to the Docker group: 

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out and log back in for this change to take effect, or run:

newgrp docker

Step 5: Test Docker

Run the following command to test Docker functionality:

docker run hello-world

This downloads a test image and runs it as a container. If successful, you'll see a welcome message.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, try these steps:

  • Ensure your user is in the Docker group if you get a permission error.
  • Restart the Docker service:
    • sudo systemctl restart docker
  • Check Docker logs for errors:
    • sudo journalctl -u docker

Official Documentation

Docker is now installed on your system and ready for use. Refer to the Docker documentation for further guidance on managing containers, images, and services.

Back to Guides