How to Install and Use Docker on Ubuntu 24.04

Docker is an open-source platform that enables developers to build, deploy, and manage applications in lightweight, portable containers. It provides a way to package software along with all its dependencies (such as libraries, frameworks, and system tools) into a standardized unit called a container, ensuring that applications run consistently across different environments.

This guide will walk you through installing Docker on Ubuntu 24.04 and show you how to use Docker to manage containers effectively.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure that you have:

• A system running Ubuntu 24.04
• A user with sudo privileges
• An active internet connection

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing Docker, it’s good practice to update your system packages to the latest versions.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates package lists and installs any pending upgrades.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Docker requires certain packages to be installed first. Run the following command:

sudo apt install -y apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

• apt-transport-https – Ensures apt can work with repositories over HTTPS.
• ca-certificates – Provides trusted CA certificates for secure connections.
• curl – A command-line tool to fetch data from URLs.
• software-properties-common – Manages software sources.

Step 3: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key

To verify the authenticity of Docker packages, you need to add Docker’s official GPG key.

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

This downloads and stores the GPG key securely.

Step 4: Add Docker Repository

Now, add the official Docker repository to the system.

echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

This command ensures that you get the latest stable version of Docker.

Step 5: Install Docker

Update the package list and install Docker.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

• docker-ce – The Docker Community Edition (main package).
• docker-ce-cli – Docker’s command-line interface.
• containerd.io – Container runtime.

Step 6: Verify Docker Installation

To check if Docker is installed correctly, run:

docker --version

This should output the installed Docker version.

You can also verify that the Docker service is running:

sudo systemctl status docker

If it’s not running, start and enable Docker:

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 7: Add Your User to the Docker Group

By default, Docker commands require sudo privileges. To allow your user to run Docker without sudo, add it to the docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

After running this command, log out and log back in (or restart your system) to apply the changes.

Test it by running:

docker run hello-world

If everything is set up correctly, you should see a message confirming that Docker is working.

Step 8: Understanding Docker Commands

Now that Docker is installed, here are some basic commands to get you started.

1. Pull an Image

Docker images are pre-configured applications stored in Docker Hub.

Example: Pull the latest Ubuntu image.

docker pull ubuntu

2. Run a Container

Create and run a container from an image.

docker run -it ubuntu bash

This runs an Ubuntu container in interactive mode (-it) with a Bash shell.

3. List Running Containers

To see active containers, use:

docker ps

To see all containers (including stopped ones):

docker ps -a

4. Stop a Container

To stop a running container:

docker stop <container_id>

Example:

docker stop 123456789abc

5. Remove a Container

To remove a stopped container:

docker rm <container_id>

To remove all stopped containers:

docker container prune

6. Remove an Image

To delete an image:

docker rmi <image_id>

Step 9: Using Docker Compose (Optional)

Docker Compose allows you to define and run multi-container applications.

1. Install Docker Compose

Run:

sudo apt install -y docker-compose

Verify installation:

docker-compose --version

2. Create a docker-compose.yml File

Example: Running an NGINX web server.

Create a docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "8080:80"

3. Start the Service

Run:

docker-compose up -d

This starts the NGINX container and maps port 80 inside the container to port 8080 on your machine.

4. Stop the Service

Stop all running services:

docker-compose down

Step 10: Uninstall Docker (If Needed)

If you need to remove Docker, use:

sudo apt remove -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io<br>sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker

This will completely remove Docker and its data.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Docker on Ubuntu 24.04! You also learned how to:

• Run and manage Docker containers
• Pull images from Docker Hub
• Use docker-compose for multi-container applications

Now you can start containerizing your applications efficiently. 🚀

Would you like additional examples or troubleshooting tips?

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Anastasios Antoniadis

Editor-in-Chief at Beyond Tech Now

Anastasios Antoniadis is the Editor in Chief of Beyond Tech Now, where he leads a diverse team of writers and analysts delivering industry-breaking news, hands-on product reviews, and thoughtful commentary on emerging technologies. With over a decade of experience in digital media, John has a proven track record of shaping editorial vision and driving engagement through high-quality, reader-focused content. He is particularly passionate about the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics—striving to make complex tech topics accessible to a global audience. When he’s not collaborating with writers or liaising with tech leaders, Anastasios can be found experimenting with the latest gadgets or sharing insights at tech conferences around the world.

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