How to Change Scroll Direction on Mac

The fastest way to change scroll direction on Mac is in System Settings. Select Mouse in the sidebar, then click the toggle next to Natural scrolling to disable it. Alternatively, select Trackpad in the sidebar, click Scroll & Zoom, then disable Natural scrolling.

Why you might want to change scroll direction on Mac

If you recently upgraded from a much older version of macOS (OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or earlier), or you just switched to Mac from Windows, natural scrolling in modern versions of macOS can be jarring. It’s designed to mimic scrolling on a touchscreen, but if you can’t get used to it quickly, it’ll become frustrating.

Natural scrolling was first introduced to Mac in OS X 10.7 Lion, which rolled out in 2011. We recommend spending a little bit of time trying to get used to it if you can since many users find it more intuitive after just a short period of use. If it’s just not working for you, however, it is possible to reverse scroll on Mac.

A note from our experts: 

 

If you’ve noticed that scrolling is slow and laggy on Mac, you can boost the performance of your machine by removing redundant files and system junk that builds up over time. It’s quick, easy, and safe with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool.

 

We’ll show you how:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. When MacKeeper opens, select Safe Cleanup in the sidebar.
3. Click Start Scan, then wait while MacKeeper identifies all the junk on your system.
4. Select the files you want to delete, then click Clean Junk Files to remove them.

Methods for changing scroll direction on Mac

Apple gives us the ability to switch scroll direction on Mac in macOS. Select Mouse in System Settings, then disable Natural scrolling. If you also use a trackpad, select Trackpad, click Scroll & Zoom, then disable the same setting here as well.

System Settings also includes other settings for your mouse and trackpad, including the option to enable right click on Mac. However, if you’d prefer, you can also change scroll direction on Mac using third-party software. Let’s take a look at these methods in more detail.

1. Using System Preferences

By far the easiest way to invert scrolling on Mac, and the method we recommend to most Mac users, is to use the built-in System Settings app—known as System Preferences in earlier versions of macOS. It has options for both mice and trackpads, and you can have different scrolling settings for each if you wish.

1.1 For mouse users

If you usually use a mouse to control your Mac, follow these steps to reverse scrolling:

1. Open System Settings, then click Mouse in the sidebar.
2. Click the toggle next to Natural scrolling to disable it.

If you ever find your Apple mouse not working as you expect, check your settings within the Mouse menu to ensure they’re all correct. You’ll find options for tracking speed, secondary click (right click), and all the standard swipe gestures here.

1.2 For trackpad users

If you have a MacBook or you use an external trackpad with your Mac, try this to change scroll direction:

1. In System Settings, select Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom.
2. Disable Natural scrolling using the toggle.

You may be wondering how to scroll on MacBook if you’re new to using an Apple computer. Fortunately, it’s just as easy as scrolling on most other laptops and you should get the hang of it in no time.

2. Using third-party apps

You may need to use a third-party app to change scroll direction on Mac if you run an old release of OS X, or you may just prefer to use dedicated tools. If that’s the case, there are two options we see Mac users downloading regularly, and they are Scroll Reverser and LinearMouse. Here’s how to use them:

Reverse scroll on Mac in Scroll Reverser:

1. Check the box next to Enable Scroll Reverser to activate it.
2. Under Scrolling Devices, enable Reverse Trackpad, Reverse Mouse, or both, depending on how you choose to interact with your Mac.

Switch scroll direction on Mac in LinearMouse:

1. Select Scrolling in the app’s sidebar.
2. Enable Reverse scrolling, which will apply to any mouse or trackpad you use.

You may also want a third-party application to view clipboard history on Mac, but it’s possible to do this on macOS without the need to install other software.

Conclusion

You don’t have to get used to natural scrolling in macOS if you don’t like it. With just a few clicks, you can change scroll direction on Mac using either System Settings or with third-party software. Whether you prefer to use a mouse or trackpad, switching to inverted scrolling is straightforward.

If you find that mouse input stutters or lags on Mac, try freeing up space to improve performance with MacKeeper’s Smart Cleanup utility. It safely removes unwanted junk and redundant system files that can slow down your machine, making your Mac cleaner and more efficient.