Here’s a step-by-step guide to install Docker on Ubuntu (20.04, 22.04, or later) — clean, safe, and following Docker’s official documentation.
Step 1: Uninstall Old Versions (if any)
sudo apt remove docker docker-engine docker.io containerd runc
Step 2: Update Packages and Install Dependencies
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release
Step 3: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key
sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg
Step 4: Add the Docker Repository
echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] \
https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
Step 5: Install Docker Engine
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
Step 6: Verify Docker Installation
Check the version:
docker --version
Run the test image:
sudo docker run hello-world
You should see a message saying “Hello from Docker!”
(Optional) Step 7: Run Docker Without sudo
To avoid typing sudo for every command:
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker
Then test:
docker ps
✅ Done! You now have Docker Engine, Docker Compose, and Buildx installed and ready to use on Ubuntu.