Neurobit Optima* devices on Mac computers with Mx processors

© Copyright by Neurobit Systems 2026
http://www.neurobitsystems.com

All Neurobit Optima* models can now work with Mac computers containing modern Mx processors, using Parallels Desktop for Mac hypervisor with Windows on ARM. Several interoperating neurofeedback/biofeedback applications written for Windows on x86/x64 processors can also be run on such virtual machine.

Note: Interoperability of 3rd party Windows applications supporting Neurobit devices may also depend on other, independent factors (e.g. required extra system libraries or license dongle drivers).

For example, BrainBay software requires additional installation of latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables for x86/x64 in Windows on ARM.
If necessary, consult a publisher of your application.

Setup

The following instructions were tested for macOS 26.3 (Tahoe), Parallels Desktop 26.2.2 with Windows 11 on ARM and Neurobit Recorder 5.4.8. Nevertheless they should be mostly applicable for other modern software versions, as well.

Neurobit Optima(+) USB models

  1. Devices with serial numbers 25xxxxxx or higher can be directly used with Mac. For a lower serial number, update the firmware to version 2.10 or newer on a pure Windows computer first. The update instructions are given on the linked webpage.

  2. Connection of the device

    1. Connect Neurobit Optima* USB device via micro USB type B to USB C cable (or micro USB type B to full size A cable + A to C adapter) to Mac.

    2. When asked "Allow accessory to connect?" click "Allow".

    3. The system selection window ("Where to connect this USB device") should appear. It is recommended to check the "Remember my choice" option. Next select Windows.

      (And if that selection window did not appear, select Windows window, click "Devices" in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then click "USB". There should be the connected USB device. If it is unchecked, click it to assign device to Windows.)

    4. When the message "Parallels Desktop wants to access Neurobit Optima*" appears, click "Always Allow" (recommended) or "Allow".

  3. Installation of D2XX driver by FTDI in Windows on ARM64

    1. Download the driver for Windows on ARM and unpack the ZIP file content to known location.

    2. Open Device Manager in Windows.

    3. There should be "Neurobit Optima*" with a yellow warning symbol in "Other devices". Double-click it.

    4. On Driver tab of the Properties window click "Update Driver".

    5. In the appearing window select "Browse my computer for driver software".

    6. In the next window click "Browse" and point to top-level folder where you unpacked the driver files. Then click "Next" to start the installation.

    7. When the installation has finished click "Close" on completion screen. Close device properties window.

    8. Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section in the Device Manager. There should be "USB Serial Converter" now.

    9. Additionally "USB Serial Port" with yellow warning mark can appear in "Other devices". You can ignore it (or disable Advanced/"Load VCP" option in properties window of "USB Serial Converter").

Neurobit Optima(+) Bluetooth models (names with BLE, BT or no protocol suffix)

  1. IMPORTANT: Parallels Desktop for Mac downloaded directly from the Parallels website is necessary. The edition from App Store does not contain necessary system extensions.

    To check your existing edition press the control button and click the Parallels icon, then select "About Parallels Desktop" option. If you see there "App Store Edition", uninstall it and install Standard, Pro or Business Edition from the publisher's website.
    NOTE: This does not require reinstalling Windows.

  2. Bluetooth hardware inside Mac can only support (and share with Windows) some typical Bluetooth devices. For this reason it is necessary to use external USB-BT500 adapter by ASUS (with USB A 2.0+ to C converter) to connect to Neurobit device.

    IMPORTANT: Use exactly this adapter, as most other adapters do not work on Windows on ARM64 or have poor range.

    1. Connect the Bluetooth adapter to USB port via USB A to C converter.

    2. When asked "Allow accessory to connect?" click "Allow".

    3. The system selection window ("Where to connect this USB device") should appear. It is recommended to check the "Remember my choice" option. Then select Windows.

      (And if that selection window did not appear, select Windows window, click "Devices" in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then click "USB". There should be the connected USB device. If it is unchecked, click it to assign device to Windows.)

    4. When the message "Parallels Desktop wants to access ASUS USB-BT500" appears, click "Always Allow" (recommended) or "Allow".

    5. Windows should automatically install default Microsoft drivers for the adapter.

  3. Then you can turn on Neurobit device and pair it with Windows (in Settings/"Bluetooth & devices"), as usual (described in device manual).
    NOTE: In Windows 11 wait for "Show other devices" and click this option.

Common settings

To avoid interruption of measurements due to macOS sleep mode click the Apple icon (in right upper corner of the screen), select "System Settings", then:

And if the measurements have stopped due to sleep, turn the device off and on again, before starting another session.