Install Oracle Database 19c on Mac M1/M2 Using Docker

✍🏻 Mustapha Limar

3 min read

•

Mon Jul 14, 2025

Installing Oracle Database on Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs isn’t straightforward because Oracle doesn’t officially support macOS natively. But with Docker and the right ARM64 image, you can run Oracle Database 19c smoothly. Here's a step-by-step guide.

🛠️ Prerequisites

✅ MacBook with Apple M1 or M2 chip
✅ Docker Desktop installed and running Download Docker
✅ Oracle account (to download the installation zip)

📥 Step 1: Clone Oracle Docker Image Repo

Oracle provides Docker image build scripts on GitHub.

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git clone https://github.com/oracle/docker-images.git
cd docker-images/OracleDatabase/SingleInstance/dockerfiles

📁 Step 2: Download Oracle 19c ARM64 Zip

Since you're on Apple Silicon, download the ARM64 version of Oracle 19c:

Visit: Oracle 19c ARM64 Downloads
Download: LINUX.ARM64_1919000_db_home.zip

Place the file in the correct folder:

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mkdir -p 19.3.0
mv ~/Downloads/LINUX.ARM64_1919000_db_home.zip 19.3.0/

🧱 Step 3: Build the Docker Image

Now run the build script:

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./buildContainerImage.sh -v 19.3.0 -e

🔄 This will take several minutes. It verifies the zip and builds the image oracle/database:19.3.0-ee.

🚀 Step 4: Run Oracle Container

After the build completes, run your container:

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docker run --name oracle-db   -p 1521:1521 -p 5500:5500   -e ORACLE_PWD=YourPassword123   -e ORACLE_CHARACTERSET=AL32UTF8   -v oracle-data:/opt/oracle/oradata   -d oracle/database:19.3.0-ee

This will:

Expose SQL port 1521
Enable Enterprise Manager on port 5500
Set SYS and SYSTEM password

🧪 Step 5: Verify Oracle Is Running

Connect to the container:

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docker exec -it oracle-db bash
source /home/oracle/.bashrc
sqlplus sys/YourPassword123@ORCLCDB as sysdba

If you see a SQL prompt, it’s working!

🧠 Step 6: Connect with DataGrip (Optional)

If you want to use a GUI:

Open DataGrip
Add new Oracle Data Source
Use these settings:

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Host: localhost
Port: 1521
SID: ORCLCDB
User: sys
Password: YourPassword123
Role: SYSDBA

Let DataGrip download the Oracle JDBC driver and test the connection.

🧾 Sample Queries

Here are a few SQL queries to get started:

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-- Check version
SELECT * FROM v$version;
 
-- List users
SELECT username FROM dba_users;
 
-- Create table
CREATE TABLE test_table (
  id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR2(100)
);

📦 Cleanup

To stop and remove the container:

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docker stop oracle-db
docker rm oracle-db

To delete the image:

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docker rmi oracle/database:19.3.0-ee

✅ Conclusion

Now you have Oracle 19c running on your Mac M1/M2 using Docker. This is a great setup for development and testing without needing a full Oracle install.