Running Oracle 19c on Mac (M1/M2) isn’t straightforward. Unlike Windows or Linux, Oracle doesn’t provide a native installer, which can be a huge blocker for students and developers.

During my MTech 2nd semester Database Security Lab, I had to use Oracle 19c for practicals—but on my Mac, there was no direct installer available. Initially, I wasted a lot of time trying different hacks and workarounds just to get it running.

The breakthrough came when I used Docker. By containerizing Oracle 19c, I could run it seamlessly on macOS without hitting compatibility issues.

Repository Link: https://github.com/roydevashish/path-to-software-engineer

Documentation Link: https://github.com/roydevashish/path-to-software-engineer/blob/main/oracle19c-in-mac-m1-m2-using-docker.md

If you’re on macOS and struggling to run Oracle databases, this setup can save you hours of frustration.

Curious to know — have you ever used Docker as a workaround to bypass OS compatibility issues?

Prerequisite

Steps to follow

1. Download the Oracle Database 19c for LINUX ARM (aarch64) file

Go to the page -> Database Software Downloads | Oracle India and download Oracle Database 19c for LINUX ARM (aarch64) file.


2. Clone Repository oracle/docker-images