Information
Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac is fully compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina and supports new macOS features. Older Parallels Desktop versions only partially support working on macOS Catalina due to technical reasons may experience the issues below depending on the configuration.
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Known issues
| Issue | Current Status | |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Catalina as a host operating system | ||
| 1 | Windows Applications folder in the Dock is broken. | Fixed in 15.0.0 (Download) |
| 2 | Cannot open Windows applications' menus with Apple Pencil tap (Sidecar). | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 3 |
Sidecar onscreen keyboard only prints 'aaaaaa' in virtual machines |
Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 4 | Low-resolution icons on a virtual machine's status bar. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 5 | Virtual machine crashes if it's set to 'Always ready in the background' with enabled Camera and Microphone. |
Fixed in 15.0.0 (Download) Open VM configuration > Hardware > Sound & Camera > disable Camera sharing and change Microphone option to Disabled. |
| 6 | Parallels Desktop UI performance and font issues. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 7 | “Share” with Mac services in Windows doesn’t work. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 8 | Cannot open files from Windows with Mac system applications (e.g. with Preview, TextEdit, Photos, Music, etc.). | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 9 | Mac crashes if VM is set to start when the Mac starts. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) Note: Full Disk Access for Parallels Desktop.app in System Preferences > Security and Privacy should be enabled |
| 10 | Cannot open VM if it's set to 'Always ready in the background'. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) Note: Full Disk Access for Parallels Desktop.app in System Preferences > Security and Privacy should be enabled |
| 11 | Parallels Desktop does not display alert type notifications. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 12 | Frame rate is always locked to 60 fps. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 13 | macOS Trash is not merged with Windows Recycle Bin. |
Enable Full Disk Access for Parallels Desktop.app in System Preferences > Security and Privacy |
| 14 | Parallels Desktop preferences show the 'Install' button for Parallels Access and Parallels Toolbox even though they are installed. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 15 | Previews of Windows applications windows in Coherence are not shown in Control Center. | Fixed in 15.0.0 (Download) |
| 16 | Parallels Desktop user interface can be half-light and half-dark when macOS Appearance is set to Auto | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 17 | Unable to use VM located in Desktop, Documents or Downloads. |
Workaround: Either relocate VM to ~/Parallels/ folder or enable Full Disk Access for Parallels Desktop in System Preferences > Security and Privacy |
| 18 | Parallels Mounter does not mount VM and crashes | Fixed in 15.1.1 (Download) |
| macOS Catalina as a virtual machine | ||
| 19 | The upgrade process to macOS Catalina in a virtual machine hangs. | Reset virtual machine using Actions > Reset menu. |
| 20 | Unable to install macOS from Mac Recovery partition. Error: “Unable to create a disk image from recovery.” | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
| 21 | Parallels Tools try to reinstall every time after suspending/resuming the virtual machine prompting to enter the password. | Fixed in 15.1.0 (Download) |
New macOS Catalina features support
The following macOS Catalina features are supported in Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac:
- Sidecar - support for the on-screen keyboard, Apple Pencil tilt, and double tap support.
- Sign in with Apple - an ability to sign in to Parallels Desktop with Apple ID account.
- New Security and Privacy Features - better user experience with new macOS Catalina restrictions.
Note: See all macOS Catalina features overview.
Issues fixed in macOS Catalina
| Issue | Current Status |
|---|---|
| "Unable to start Parallels Services" error message appears upon Parallels Desktop start. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 10 |
| Cannot access Documents/Desktop shared folders in a VM if they are synchronized with iCloud Drive. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 7 |
| Cannot move applications windows around the Desktop in the macOS Catalina virtual machine. |
Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 7 After upgrading to Beta 7 go to virtual machine configuration Hardware > Mouse & Keyboard, then switch Mouse option to Auto-detect for games/Don't optimize for games. |
| Parallels Desktop Business Edition: Autoactivation from the invitation email is not working. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta (19A536g) |
| Adding Windows applications to Launchpad doesn’t work. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 4 |
| Unable to connect a USB device to a virtual machine. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 2 |
| Installation of Parallels Desktop hangs. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 4 |
| Parallels Tools Installation Agent window remains on the screen after reaching 100%. | Fixed in macOS Catalina Beta 4 |
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