Why does Docker Desktop keep disappearing from my work Mac?

The most likely explanation is your company’s device-management system. Work Macs often use MDM policies that remove software which is not approved, and Docker Desktop’s business licensing may be part of the reason. Check the installed management profiles or ask whoever manages your laptop to confirm whether Docker Desktop is permitted.

A failed Homebrew cask upgrade can also make it look like the application was deleted. Homebrew may move the existing app aside and then fail while downloading or installing the replacement. Check the Homebrew output and logs around the time Docker disappears, and consider installing the application directly from Docker’s official installer as a test.

You may not need Docker Desktop at all. Colima is a common macOS alternative for running Docker containers, although it uses a different Docker socket path and some containers may need extra configuration. Another option is a Linux virtual machine. Apple’s native container tooling is worth investigating too, but it is not always a drop-in replacement for existing Docker Compose projects or containers that expect a Docker daemon.

Docker Desktop also uses a large virtual disk file by default. If the Mac is low on storage or that file becomes corrupted, Docker may fail badly and require recreating its data. Check available disk space and Docker’s diagnostic logs, though this usually causes Docker to reset rather than macOS deliberately removing the app.