In the ever-evolving world of technology, Apple’s macOS stands out as a user-friendly and intuitive operating system. However, few hidden features and settings can sometimes be overlooked. One such setting that can significantly enhance your user experience is the ability to change the scroll direction on Mac. Whether you prefer the traditional “natural” scrolling or the more intuitive “reverse” scrolling, macOS offers a seamless way to customize this setting to your preference. By default, macOS uses the “natural” scrolling method, which means that when you move your finger or trackpad upwards, the content on the screen also moves upwards. However, many users find that the “reverse” scrolling method, where moving your finger or trackpad upwards moves the content downwards, is more natural and intuitive.
Changing the scroll direction on Mac is a simple and straightforward process. By following these simple steps, you can switch between the “natural” and “reverse” scrolling methods in just a few clicks. To begin, click on the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen. Then, select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu. In the System Preferences window, click on the “Trackpad” icon. Under the “Scrolling & Zooming” tab, you will find the “Scroll direction” drop-down menu. By clicking on this menu, you can choose between the “Natural” and “Reverse” scrolling methods. Once you have made your selection, simply close the System Preferences window and your new scroll direction will be applied immediately.
Access System Preferences
To begin, you’ll need to access the System Preferences pane on your Mac. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get there:
1. Use the Apple Menu
Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
From the drop-down menu, select “System Preferences.”
2. Use Spotlight Search
Click on the Spotlight search icon in the top-right corner of your screen. Type “System Preferences” into the search bar.
Click on the “System Preferences” icon in the search results.
3. Dock Shortcut
If you have the System Preferences icon in your Dock, simply click on it to launch it.
4. Go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/
You can also navigate to the System Preferences application directly by going to the following directory in Finder:
| Go to: | /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/ |
| Find: | System Preferences.app |
| Click: | System Preferences.app |
Open “Trackpad” or “Mouse” Settings
To change the scroll direction on your Mac, you’ll need to open the System Preferences app. Depending on your Mac model, there are two ways to access System Preferences:
- Click on the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences” from the menu.
- Click on the “System Preferences” icon in the Dock.
Once you’re in System Preferences, click on the “Trackpad” or “Mouse” icon, depending on which you want to use to control scrolling.
Change Scroll Direction
In the Trackpad or Mouse settings, you’ll find a section called “Scrolling”. Under this section, you’ll see an option called “Scroll direction: Natural”. This option determines whether the content on your screen scrolls in the same direction as your finger or mouse movement (natural scrolling) or in the opposite direction (reverse scrolling).
To change the scroll direction, simply click on the checkbox next to “Scroll direction: Natural”. If the checkbox is checked, natural scrolling will be enabled. If the checkbox is unchecked, reverse scrolling will be enabled.
Here’s a table summarizing the two scroll direction options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural scrolling | Content on your screen scrolls in the same direction as your finger or mouse movement. |
| Reverse scrolling | Content on your screen scrolls in the opposite direction of your finger or mouse movement. |
Locate the “Scroll Direction” Option
To adjust the scroll direction on your Mac, you’ll need to access the System Preferences. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences”.
2. Go to “General” Settings
Locate and click on the “General” icon within System Preferences.
3. Find the “Scrolling” Section
Scroll down the General settings page until you see the “Scrolling” section. This section contains several options related to your Mac’s scrolling behavior, including the “Scroll direction” setting.
| Scroll Direction | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural | Scrolls down with two fingers to move down a page. |
| Reverse | Scrolls up with two fingers to move down a page. |
Note: The default scroll direction on macOS is “Natural,” which means that moving two fingers up on the trackpad will scroll the page down, and vice versa.
Enable “Natural” or “Normal” Scrolling
By switching between “natural” and “normal” scrolling, you can control how your content behaves.
In “natural” scrolling, the screen content moves in the same direction as your finger. This means that when you swipe up, the content moves up and when you swipe down, the content moves down.
In “normal” scrolling, the screen content moves in the opposite direction of your finger. This means that when you swipe up, the content moves down and when you swipe down, the content moves up.
To change the scroll direction to “natural”, follow these steps:
1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Mouse.
3. Select the “Scroll” tab.
4. Under “Scroll Direction”, choose “Natural”.
To change the scroll direction to “normal”, follow these steps:
1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Mouse.
3. Select the “Scroll” tab.
4. Under “Scroll Direction”, choose “Normal”.
Choose the Right Scroll Speed
In addition to changing the scroll direction, you can also adjust the scroll speed. This determines how fast the screen content moves when you scroll. To adjust the scroll speed, follow these steps:
1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Mouse.
3. Select the “Scroll” tab.
4. Under “Scroll speed”, use the slider to adjust the speed.
Enable Scrolling Inertia
Scrolling inertia allows the screen content to continue scrolling for a short period of time after you stop moving your finger. This can make scrolling feel more smooth and fluid. To enable scrolling inertia, follow these steps:
1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Mouse.
3. Select the “Scroll” tab.
4. Under “Scrolling inertia”, choose the desired setting.
Additional Options
There are a few other options that you can configure to customize the scrolling behavior on your Mac. These options include:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Scroll rings | Enables a scroll ring to appear around the cursor when you scroll. |
| Reverse scrolling direction for Magic Mouse | Reverses the scroll direction for Magic Mouse devices. |
| Smooth scrolling | Enables smooth scrolling, which makes scrolling more fluid and consistent. |
Adjust the “Scroll Speed” if Desired
In addition to changing the scroll direction, you can also adjust the “Scroll Speed” to determine how quickly the contents of the page move when you scroll. To adjust the scroll speed:
- Open the “System Preferences” menu.
- Select “Accessibility.”
- Click on “Mouse & Trackpad” in the sidebar.
- Under the “Scrolling” section, locate the “Scroll speed” slider.
- Drag the slider to the left to slow down the scrolling speed or to the right to speed it up.
| Scroll Speed Adjustment Options | |
|---|---|
| Slider Position | Scrolling Speed |
| Far left | Slowest |
| Middle | Default speed |
| Far right | Fastest |
Once you have adjusted the scroll speed to your liking, click on the “Close” button to save your changes.
Save Your Changes
Once you’ve made your desired changes, ensure they are saved. Here’s how to do it:
- Click the “Save” button: Look for the “Save” button in the toolbar, usually represented by a floppy disk icon. Clicking this button will save your settings.
- Use the keyboard shortcut: Press “Command+S” (⌘+S) to save your changes quickly.
- Quit and reopen System Preferences: If you don’t see the “Save” button, you can quit System Preferences by clicking the “Apple” menu and selecting “Quit System Preferences.” Then, reopen System Preferences, and your changes should be saved.
| Description | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Save Changes | Command + S (⌘ + S) |
By saving your changes, your new scroll direction preferences will be applied to your Mac. If you ever need to revert to the default settings, simply follow the same steps and select the “Natural” scroll direction option.
Test the New Scroll Direction
Now that you have successfully changed the scroll direction, it’s time to test it out. Open a document, webpage, or any scrollable content.
Place your finger or mouse cursor on the trackpad or scroll wheel and move it in the direction you want to scroll. The content should scroll in the new direction you have set.
If the scroll direction still doesn’t feel right, you can go back to the System Preferences and adjust the “Scroll direction: Natural” option. You can also try different settings for the “Scroll speed” option to find what feels most comfortable for you.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps to test the new scroll direction:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Open a document, webpage, or any scrollable content. |
| 2. | Place your finger or mouse cursor on the trackpad or scroll wheel. |
| 3. | Move the cursor in the direction you want to scroll. |
| 4. | Observe if the content scrolls in the new direction. |
If you encounter any issues or have additional questions, refer to the Apple Support website or consult with a certified Apple technician for further assistance.
Troubleshoot Scrolling Issues
If you encounter scrolling problems after making changes to your scrolling direction, try the following:
1. Restart your Mac. This can often resolve minor issues.
2. Check your mouse or trackpad settings. Make sure that the scrolling direction is set to your preference.
3. **Reset your scrolling preferences.** To do this, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad. Then, click the “Reset” button next to the “Scrolling” section.
4. **Try a different mouse or trackpad.** This can help you determine if the problem is with your device.
5. Disconnect any external devices connected to your Mac. This can help rule out any potential conflicts.
6. Update your macOS software. Apple often releases updates that include fixes for scrolling issues.
7. Check your accessibility settings. Some accessibility features can interfere with scrolling.
8. **Inspect your trackpad or mouse for physical issues.** Look for any loose cables or other damage that could be causing the scrolling problem. If you notice any issues, contact Apple Support or a qualified repair technician.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Mouse scrolling up when scrolling down | Check the mouse settings and reverse the scrolling direction. |
| Trackpad scrolling erratically | Clean the trackpad with a microfiber cloth and restart your Mac. |
| Scrolling not working at all | Restart your Mac and check the mouse or trackpad settings. |
Use Third-Party Software for Customization
For more advanced customization options, you can use third-party software to change the scroll direction on your Mac. Here are some popular options:
Scroll Reverser: This free and open-source app allows you to easily switch between natural and inverted scroll directions for both the trackpad and mouse. It also provides options to customize the scroll speed and sensitivity.
BetterTouchTool: A paid app that offers a wide range of customization options for your Mac, including scroll direction. You can configure different scroll behaviors for specific apps, trackpads, or mice.
Mos: A free and lightweight app that allows you to invert the scroll direction on your Mac. It also includes options to customize the scroll speed and acceleration.
SmoothScroll: A paid app that provides advanced scroll customization features. You can adjust the scroll speed, acceleration, and smoothness, as well as invert the scroll direction.
SteerMouse: A paid app that offers comprehensive customization options for your Mac’s mouse and trackpad. You can configure different scroll directions, speeds, and sensitivities for various gestures.
| Software | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Scroll Reverser | Free, open-source, simple customization options | Free |
| BetterTouchTool | Advanced customization options, app-specific configurations | Paid |
| Mos | Free, lightweight, basic customization options | Free |
| SmoothScroll | Advanced scroll customization features, adjustable speed and smoothness | Paid |
| SteerMouse | Comprehensive mouse and trackpad customization, customizable scroll directions | Paid |
By using third-party software, you can tailor the scroll direction and behavior on your Mac to your specific preferences, enhancing your overall user experience.
How to Change Scroll Direction on Mac
By default, MacBooks scroll in the “natural” direction, meaning that swiping up on the trackpad will scroll the content downwards, and vice versa. However, some users may prefer the traditional “reverse” scrolling direction, where swiping up scrolls the content upwards.
To change the scroll direction on your Mac:
1. Go to System Preferences.
2. Click on Trackpad.
3. In the Scroll & Zoom tab, select the “Scroll direction” drop-down menu.
4. Choose either “Natural” or “Reverse”.
5. Close System Preferences.
The new scroll direction will take effect immediately.
People Also Ask
How do I change the scrolling speed on my Mac?
To change the scrolling speed on your Mac, go to System Preferences > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom. You can then adjust the “Scrolling speed” slider to your desired speed.
How do I turn off scrolling on my Mac?
To turn off scrolling on your Mac, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Mouse & Trackpad. Then, select the “Scrolling” tab and uncheck the “Enable scrolling” box.
How do I change the trackpad sensitivity on my Mac?
To change the trackpad sensitivity on your Mac, go to System Preferences > Trackpad. You can then adjust the “Tracking speed” slider to your desired sensitivity.
