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How to Reverse Trackpad and Mouse Scroll Direction in OS X

How to Reverse Trackpad and Mouse Scroll Direction in OS X
Reverse Scroll Direction OS X

Apple introduced “Natural Scrolling” in 2011 as part of OS X 10.7 Lion. The feature reverses the traditional scroll direction in OS X, aiming to replicate the scrolling experience of a touchscreen device like an iPad. While many users have come to prefer Natural Scrolling while using a trackpad, mouse users still find the experience frustrating, especially those who work in mixed Windows and OS X environments.
Natural Scrolling is enabled by default on new Macs, although Apple asks users which direction they prefer during the initial OS X setup. If you missed that prompt, however, or if you change your mind later, you can easily reverse scroll direction with a quick trip to System Preferences.
Head to System Preferences > Mouse (or System Preferences > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom, depending on your input device). In either location, you’ll see a checkbox labeled Scroll direction: natural.

If you check the box, you’ll enable Natural Scrolling (moving the mouse wheel or trackpad gesture towards you scrolls up, moving away from you scrolls down). Uncheck the box to disable Natural Scrolling, which results in the traditional scroll direction for both mouse and trackpad.

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3 thoughts on “How to Reverse Trackpad and Mouse Scroll Direction in OS X”

M. Ratcha says:
Augh! this system preference, unfortunately, doesn’t change the “natural” direction behavior of “swiping” in Photos.
Jamil arif says:
Their is no such option in mine. Kindly approve information before writing it.
TekRevue says:
This option is present in all versions of OS X from 10.7 Lion and up. If you’re not seeing it, you’re either running an older version of OS X, or have a serious problem with your OS X installation.
Jamil arif says:
I am running OS X El Capitan.
Disqman says:
Got an iMac with “El Capitan” this week. There is nothing “natural” about the scroll wheel functioning like this. A desktop computer is not a tablet, fer chrissake. A car isn’t a motorcycle either. Thanks for the tip, highly useful!

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Jim Tanous

Jul 15, 2014

676 Articles Published

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