TidyMacDon’t delete Docker.raw; it’s the single virtual disk holding all your Docker containers and images. Shrink it from inside Docker instead: run docker system prune (add -a to also remove unused images), or use Docker Desktop’s Troubleshoot and disk settings. The file is sparse, so check its allocated size, not its apparent size.
The five questions
One big virtual disk holding all your Docker containers and images.
Images and stopped containers pile up as you work.
Not the file itself; that would erase everything inside Docker.
The right way: Run docker system prune, or use Docker Desktop's cleanup options.
How big it gets: 10–100 GB on developer Macs. The apparent size can be larger than the space really used.
Where it lives: ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker
Do it yourself
Open Terminal and type: docker system prune
docker system prune
See your own docker in seconds
Scan free, see every part of your storage explained, and clean only what’s safe. Everything goes to the Trash first.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete docker on a Mac?
Not the file itself; that would erase everything inside Docker. Run docker system prune, or use Docker Desktop's cleanup options.
Why are my docker so big?
Images and stopped containers pile up as you work.
How do I clean docker manually?
Open Terminal and type: docker system prune