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aevesdocker merged 2 commits into from
Jun 26, 2026
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docs(desktop): document macos docker desktop backend helper #25440

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desktop: document docker backend helper
mickael-docker Jun 25, 2026
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aevesdocker Jun 26, 2026
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11 changes: 11 additions & 0 deletions content/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-permission-requirements.md
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Expand Up @@ -90,6 +90,17 @@ $ rm /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.docker.vmnetd.plist
$ rm /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.vmnetd
```

## Backend helper socket

Aside from the optional [privileged helper](#privileged-helper), the Docker
Desktop backend process (`com.docker.backend`) uses an internal helper socket
(`~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/Data/forkexecd.sock`) to fork and execute
helper processes as part of running Docker Desktop.

Unlike the privileged helper, this socket does not run as `root` and grants no
elevated privileges. It is owned by, and accessible only to, the same macOS user
running Docker Desktop, and is contained in Docker Desktop's application container.

## Containers running as root within the Linux VM

With Docker Desktop, the Docker daemon and containers run in a lightweight Linux
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