Connecting Bluetooth Game Controllers

Beginning with Parallels Desktop for Mac 18, you can enjoy a more seamless integration of popular Bluetooth game controllers. Instead of connecting them to a virtual machine, you now need to connect them directly to your Mac, and Parallels Desktop will automatically share them with Windows. Please note that regardless of the actual make and model, your game controller will appear in Windows as a "Virtual Xbox controller".

Requirements:

1. A Windows 10 or newer on your virtual machine;

2. Any game controller that is supported in the macOS Game Controller framework. The following controllers have been tested and proven to work:

   1. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (the last two generations);

   2. Sony PlayStation DualShock and DualSense*;

   3. Nintendo Joy-Cons.

*DualSense's touchpad and motion sensors are not yet supported.

Setting Up the Controller

1. Ensure the batteries inside are well-charged;

2. Connect the controller to your Mac. It should appear under the list of devices as Connected in System Settings > Bluetooth;

   
3. To make sure your device is connected to your Windows virtual machine, start Windows, and in the Windows search bar, type in Control Panel > Devices & Printers > the device should show up as Virtual Xbox Controller.