Parallels Desktop has long made it easy to run virtualised Linux distros on macOS, with integration between host and guest OS provided through Parallels Tools for Linux, a set of drivers and kernel modules the user installs manually inside of a VM.
Only, Linux kernel and distro releases are frequent — more frequent than new versions of Parallels Desktop itself. As such, there can be “kernel compatibility headaches” that stem from using Parallels Tool with newer Linux kernels.
So the latest update to the paid-for, proprietary software for macOS, now uses a driverless version of Parallels Tools for Linux.
Parallels Desktop 26.1, released on 3 October 2025, now makes use of virtio-vsock tech (an open-source protocol that is part of the Linux kernel). Thus, users get reliable integration in newer Linux kernels and distros, no need to wait for Parallels devs to roll out updates.
The update means users of Parallels Desktop on macOS can “upgrade [their] Linux virtual machines without worrying about losing integration functionality”, like shared clipboard, folders, dynamic resolution changes and the ability to open macOS files in Linux apps.
Parallels Desktop 26.1 also updates its list of Linux distros that support ‘quick installation’ through the Parallels Desktop Installation Assistant on Apple Silicon devices, with Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS and Debian 12.11 added.
Bug fixes resolve issues in virtual machines running Ubuntu 25.04 from sharing connected drives with macOS, shared folders showing as empty in Fedora VMs, and Debian 12 VMs unable to connect to the internet if the Mac is been restarted.
Want more details on this release? Read the official release notes.
To learn more about Parallels Desktop, including its features, pricing, differences between standard, Pro and Enterprise editions, or to just download a trial to try out on a Mac you own, zip over to the Parallels website.
Note: the Parallels Desktop for Mac App Store Edition updates on a separate cadence to the main version downloaded direct from the Parallels website.