Change the Docker Installation folder ↗

The /var/lib/docker/ folder is the default Docker folder for Ubuntu, Fedora, and Deblan in a standard engine installation, used to store container images and logs.

To change the Docker folder:

1. Stop the Docker daemon.

   sudo service docker stop

2. Create a file called daemon.json under the /etc/docker directory with the following content:

   {
           "data-root": "<path to your Docker folder>"
     }
   

3. Copy the current data directory to the new one.

   sudo rsync -aP /var/lib/docker/ <path to your Docker folder>

4. Rename the old docker directory.

   sudo mv /var/lib/docker /var/lib/docker.bkp

5. After confirming that the change was successful, you can remove the backup file.

   sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker.bkp

6. Start the Docker daemon.

   sudo service docker start