# USB Settings

In the **USB** pane, you can view and configure the USB-related settings.

To open these settings, choose **Actions** > **Configure** > **Hardware**, then click **USB**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: This panel previously included the settings for Shared Bluetooth, which was deprecated in Parallels Desktop for Mac 26. Bluetooth devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, or game controllers) connected to your Mac will continue to work normally in virtual machines.\
\
To connect a Bluetooth device directly to a virtual machine, consider using a USB Bluetooth dongle.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/Z0yzjRPXUJnn6bt6LmJD" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<table><thead><tr><th width="312">Option</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Share smart card readers with Windows</strong></td><td><p>When this option is selected, you can use your Mac's smart card readers in Windows.</p><p>Please note that you will be able to use only those smart card readers that function properly in macOS (i.e. have the necessary drivers installed).<br></p><p>If your smart card reader works in macOS but for some reason doesn't appear in Windows, please try to connect it using the <strong>Devices</strong> > <strong>USB</strong> menu as <a href="/pages/5oYFIf3B6WJfs0UJJWx9">described here</a>.</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Allow external devices</strong> (available in Parallels Desktop for Mac Business and Enterprise Editions only)</td><td>Use this list to specify what devices can be connected to the virtual machine via USB.</td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-26-users-guide/parallels-desktop-preferences-and-virtual-machine-settings/virtual-machine-settings/hardware-settings/usb-and-bluetooth-settings.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
