Run 32-bit apps in macOS Catalina
1 ENABLE THE EXTENSION
If installing for the first time, follow directions so that Parallels’ system extension isn’t blocked. In Catalina, this requires a restart after agreeing in the Security pane, and installation resumes afterwards.
2 CREATE A NEW VM
Once signed into your Parallels account, enter the activation key, and consent to access to various folders. You’ll be asked to create a new VM. Select the middle of the three options to use your macOS installer.
3 SELECT THE INSTALLER
If it doesn’t find the right installer, click on Select a file…, and switch the Open File dialog to display All files (*). Open your macOS installer, agree creation of a bootable disk image file, and click Continue.
4 SAVE THE NEW VM
Give the VM a suitable name, and choose its location. The default of a Parallels folder in your Home folder is usually best, unless you’ve very good reasons to put it somewhere more suitable. Click on Continue.
5 GIVE PRIVACY CONSENT
Install Parallels Toolbox when asked, so it can download. Meanwhile, in the VM, macOS should start up in Recovery Mode. As privacy consent dialogs appear, agree to them so your VM can access all your Mac’s features.
6 START INSTALLING MACOS
The VM displays normal Recovery Mode options. Select Install macOS and click on Continue to start installing it into your VM. This is by far the longest part of the process, and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
7 SELECT VIRTUAL VOLUME
Once you’ve seen the normal installer splash screen, select the disk named Macintosh HD onto which to perform the installation. This isn’t your Mac’s real startup disk, but Parallels’ virtual volume. Click on Install.
8 SIGN INTO YOUR APPLEID
After creating a user account and password, most choices made during installation are straightforward. It’s useful to sign in with your normal Apple ID to ensure access to your App Store purchases and iCloud Drive.
9 MINIMISE ICLOUD USE
One option to avoid is putting your Documents and Desktop folders in iCloud from the VM, as this can cause complications and significant overhead when exchanging files with your normal Mac using Parallels Toolbox.
10 TURN FILEVAULT OFF
Another option to avoid is encryption of the virtual drive. If you need to protect its data, you’re better off running from a volume with FileVault turned on, preferably via a T2 chip with its negligible overhead.
11 INSTALL PARALLELS TOOLS
Once your VM has configured macOS, open the Parallels Tools disk image on its Desktop, and run the installer to provide the rest of the tools to control the VM and integrate file exchange. Once complete, eject it.
12 UPDATE AND INSTALL
Install apps via Parallels Shared Folders. Check your VM connects with Apple’s update servers to install security updates. SilentKnight (free, eclecticlight. co) helps get this done. Then set your 32bit apps up and run them.