Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most common questions about Parall. If your question isn’t answered here, please contact support or open an issue on GitHub.
General Questions
What does Parall do?
Parall lets you create independent macOS app shortcuts that behave like separate apps. You can run multiple instances of browsers or other apps at the same time, each with its own data, settings, and Dock icon.
Does Parall modify my system or other apps?
No. Parall never modifies system files or existing apps. It simply creates small shortcut bundles that link to your original apps.
Are Parall shortcuts signed or sandboxed?
No. By design, Parall shortcuts are not sandboxed or signed. This is necessary because they directly execute the target app’s bundle. macOS may sometimes show a warning saying the shortcut “tries to modify another app,” but this message appears for any access - not modification. Parall never modifies apps or system files.
Do Parall shortcuts update automatically when the main app updates?
Yes. Because each shortcut points to the original app bundle, any updates to the main app automatically apply to all shortcuts.
Does Parall require internet access or background services?
No. Parall works completely offline. It has no background daemons, no telemetry, and makes no network requests.
Can I pin Parall-created shortcuts to the Dock?
Yes. Once a shortcut is saved, simply drag it to the Dock. It behaves just like any other macOS app icon.
Can I use Parall with Safari, Mail, or other Apple apps?
No. System and Apple-provided apps (those starting with com.apple.) are not supported. These apps use system-level restrictions that prevent Parall from running them independently.
Can I use Parall for iOS apps running on macOS?
No. Parall only supports native macOS apps. iOS apps from the App Store are not supported.
Are all apps supported by Parall?
Not every macOS app supports being launched as a separate instance. Some apps are designed to prevent multiple copies or restrict parallel execution.
If you’re unsure whether your target app is supported, contact [email protected] before purchasing - I’ll personally test it and confirm compatibility.
Advanced and Technical Questions
Does Parall support separate data folders for each shortcut?
Currently, automatic data folder separation is supported only for Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera. Support for other apps will be added later.
For other apps, you can manually add custom command-line arguments to define your own data folder or configuration directory.
What is the “quarantine removal” step after exporting a shortcut?
macOS adds a “quarantine” attribute to newly created bundles. You can remove it using the provided Terminal command. On older macOS versions (10.10-10.11), you also need to clear quarantine on the shortcut’s binary.
Is Parall safe to use in managed environments (MDM, enterprise, etc.)?
Yes. Parall can be deployed and managed through standard MDM systems. It doesn’t modify system files, and its behavior is fully transparent.
For IT and System Administrators
Can Parall app be deployed via MDM?
Yes. You can deploy Parall using any standard MDM solution. To pre-authorize Accessibility permissions, push a configuration profile using the com.apple.TCC.configuration-profile-policy domain granting Accessibility access to app.parall.mac.
Are there any network dependencies or telemetry?
No. Parall apps operate fully offline and store no personal data. They do not initiate network connections or send telemetry.
Still Need Help?
If something doesn’t work as expected - or if you’re unsure whether a behavior is intended - contact support. The app is actively maintained, and I’ll do my best to help.