Docker is taking up disk space on a Mac and prune didn't help — here's why
Last updated June 14, 2026
Docker Desktop stores images, containers, and volumes inside one sparse Docker.raw file. `docker system prune` frees space inside that file, but the file itself often stays large on the host — so the Mac doesn't see the space back. After pruning, you may need Docker Desktop's disk-image reclaim. Tokki Clean surfaces Docker's footprint so you know when to act.
Reclaim it in order
See the breakdown, prune, then shrink the disk image if the host file is still big:
What's using space
Prune everything unused
Build cache only
Safe to delete
Docker build cacheReclaim with `docker builder prune` — rebuilt on next build.
Dangling images / stopped containersRemoved by `docker system prune`.
Do it in one click
Tokki Clean finds docker disk space for you, sizes it, shows an itemized preview, and sends removals to the Trash — free, native, nothing leaves your Mac.
Download free for macOSApple silicon · macOS 12+ · no account
Frequently asked questions
Why didn't docker system prune free up disk space on my Mac?
Prune frees space inside Docker's Docker.raw image, but that file is sparse and doesn't auto-shrink. Use Docker Desktop → Settings → Resources → 'Clean / Purge data' or reduce the disk image size to return space to macOS.
Where does Docker Desktop store data on a Mac?
In a single disk image (Docker.raw) under ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/Data/vms.