How to use Bluetooth devices inside a Windows virtual machine

Connecting Bluetooth Audio Devices

This section explains how to set up Bluetooth audio devices for use with your Windows virtual machine.

Shared Connection via macOS Host

Pair your Bluetooth audio device with macOS to automatically share it with the virtual machine:

1. Pair your Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, or speakers with your Mac via System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Once paired, audio devices will automatically work inside virtual machines with no additional configuration required.
3. Audio will be shared between macOS and the Windows virtual machine seamlessly.

Direct connection to the Windows virtual machine

You can connect your Bluetooth audio device to the Windows virtual machine directly using a USB bluetooth dongle:

1. Use a USB Bluetooth adapter/dongle.
   Note: Ensure the USB Bluetooth adapter/dongle is compatible with both macOS and the virtual machine.
2. Plug the dongle into your Mac's USB port.
3. With the Windows virtual machine running,click on Devices > USB on the Mac's menu bar.
4. Select the Bluetooth dongle to attach it directly to the virtual machine as a USB device and click on Allow when prompted.
   
   
   
   
    
5. Open the virtual machine's configuration, then select Hardware > Sound & camera.
6. Set Sound Output and/or Microphone to your Bluetooth audio device.
   
   
   
   
    
7. The device will now be connected directly to the virtual machine.

Connecting a Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse to a virtual machine

Shared Connection via macOS Host

1. Pair your Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with your Mac.
2. These input devices are automatically shared with running virtual machines by default.
3. No additional configuration is required.

We do not recommend connecting Bluetooth keyboards or mice directly to a virtual machine. Doing so may:

• Causes loss of control over the macOS host
• Require physical intervention to regain Mac access
• Create input conflicts between host and guest

For reliable operation, always pair input devices with macOS and let Parallels handle the sharing.

Connecting Gamepads to a virtual machine

Parallels Desktop includes gamepad support, enabling seamless controller use:

1. Connect your Bluetooth gamepad to your Mac.
2. Launch your virtual machine.
3. The gamepad will work automatically inside the virtual machine - no configuration is needed.

 The supported controllers that have been proven to work in Parallels Desktop:

• Xbox Wireless controllers (last two generations);
• Play Station DualShock and Dual Sense controllers;
• Nintendo Joy-Cons

For more information, please refer to the KB 124771.

Important Note:

As of version Parallels Desktop 26, native Bluetooth device sharing with virtual machines has been deprecated. For more information, please refer to the Parallels Desktop 26 updates summary.

As part of this change, the Share Bluetooth devices with Windows option has been removed, and the USB & Bluetooth menu/section has been renamed to USB: