Parallels Tools is a suite of software utilities designed to enhance the performance and usability of virtual machines created using Parallels Desktop. Installing Parallels Tools in a Linux virtual machine can provide improved integration, graphics acceleration, and better overall functionality. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to install Parallels Tools in Linux.

Note: we suggest opening this article inside a Linux virtual machine to easily paste the commands into the Linux Termnial.

1. In Linux virtual machine, open Terminal and execute the following command to eject any CD/DVD images:

for dev in /dev/sr0 /dev/cdrom /dev/dvd; do sudo eject $dev; done 2>/dev/null

(You will need to enter your Linux password to run the command. No symbols will be shown due to security measures, so just enter the password and press Return/Enter.)

2. On Mac side, mount the Parallels Tools image into the virtual machine execute the following command (note: before executing the command, make sure that the Linux virtual machine in question is the only one running):

VM_ID=$(prlctl list -a | grep running | awk '{print $1}' | head -n 1) && ISO_PATH=$(if [[ $(uname -m) == "x86_64" ]]; then echo "/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app/Contents/Resources/Tools/prl-tools-lin.iso"; elif [[ $(uname -m) == "arm64" ]]; then echo "/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app/Contents/Resources/Tools/prl-tools-lin-arm.iso"; fi) && prlctl set $VM_ID --device-set cdrom0 --image "$ISO_PATH" --connect

Once execute, the command should produce the following message: "The VM has been successfully configured", and on the Linux virtual side, you should see that Parallels Tools are mounted.

3. Switch back to the Linux virtual machine Terminal and execute the following command to update dependencies, correctly mount the image on the virtual machine side, and run the Parallels Tools installation:

sudo mkdir -p /media/cdrom0; if [[ -f /etc/fedora-release ]]; then sudo dnf install -y gcc kernel-devel-$(uname -r) kernel-headers-$(uname -r) make checkpolicy selinux-policy-devel; sudo mount -o exec /dev/sr0 /media/cdrom0; cd /media/cdrom0; sudo ./install; elif [[ -f /etc/debian_version ]] || [[ -f /etc/kali_version ]] || [[ -f /etc/os-release && $(grep -Ei "NAME=\"Debian|NAME=\"Ubuntu" /etc/os-release) ]]; then sudo apt-get install -y dkms libelf-dev linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential; sudo mount -o exec /dev/sr0 /media/cdrom0; cd /media/cdrom0; sudo ./install; fi

(You may be required to enter your Linux password to run the command. No symbols will be shown due to security measures, so just enter the password and press Return/Enter.)

4. As a result, you will see Parallels Tools Installer window:

   4.1. Proceed with installation.

   4.2. After installation you need to Reboot Linux virtual machine. 

Once the system reboots, you should have all the Mac <> VM integration features available to you.