---
description: Explore the Learning center and understand the benefits of signing in
  to Docker Desktop
keywords: Docker Dashboard, manage, containers, gui, dashboard, images, user manual,
  learning center, guide, sign in
title: Sign in to Docker Desktop
linkTitle: Sign in
weight: 40
aliases:
- /desktop/linux/
- /desktop/mac/
- /desktop/windows/
- /docker-for-mac/
- /docker-for-windows/
- /desktop/get-started/
---

Docker recommends signing in with the **Sign in** option in the top-right corner of the Docker Dashboard. 

In large enterprises where admin access is restricted, administrators can [enforce sign-in](/manuals/enterprise/security/enforce-sign-in/_index.md). 

> [!TIP]
>
> Explore [Docker's core subscriptions](https://www.docker.com/pricing?ref=Docs&refAction=DocsDesktopSignIn) to see what else Docker can offer you. 

## Benefits of signing in

- Access your Docker Hub repositories directly from Docker Desktop.

- Increase your pull rate limit compared to anonymous users. See [Usage and limits](/manuals/docker-hub/usage/_index.md).

- Enhance your organization’s security posture for containerized development with [Hardened Desktop](/manuals/enterprise/security/hardened-desktop/_index.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Desktop automatically signs you out after 90 days, or after 30 days of inactivity. 

## Signing in with Docker Desktop for Linux

Docker Desktop for Linux relies on [`pass`](https://www.passwordstore.org/) to store credentials in GPG-encrypted files.
Before signing in to Docker Desktop with your [Docker ID](/accounts/create-account/), you must initialize `pass`.
Docker Desktop displays a warning if `pass` is not configured.

1. Generate a GPG key. You can initialize pass by using a gpg key. To generate a gpg key, run:

   ``` console
   $ gpg --generate-key
   ``` 
2. Enter your name and email once prompted. 

   Once confirmed, GPG creates a key pair. Look for the `pub` line that contains your GPG ID, for example:

   ```text
   ...
   pubrsa3072 2022-03-31 [SC] [expires: 2024-03-30]
    3ABCD1234EF56G78
   uid          Molly <molly@example.com>
   ```
3. Copy the GPG ID and use it to initialize `pass`. For example

   ```console
   $ pass init 3ABCD1234EF56G78
   ``` 

   You should see output similar to: 

   ```text
   mkdir: created directory '/home/molly/.password-store/'
   Password store initialized for <generated_gpg-id_public_key>
   ```

Once you initialize `pass`, you can sign in and pull your private images.
When Docker CLI or Docker Desktop use credentials, a user prompt may pop up for the password you set during the GPG key generation.

```console
$ docker pull molly/privateimage
Using default tag: latest
latest: Pulling from molly/privateimage
3b9cc81c3203: Pull complete 
Digest: sha256:3c6b73ce467f04d4897d7a7439782721fd28ec9bf62ea2ad9e81a5fb7fb3ff96
Status: Downloaded newer image for molly/privateimage:latest
docker.io/molly/privateimage:latest
```

## What's next?

- [Explore Docker Desktop](/manuals/desktop/use-desktop/_index.md) and its features. 
- Change your [Docker Desktop settings](/manuals/desktop/settings-and-maintenance/settings.md).
- [Browse common FAQs](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/general.md).