Marcio Cunha
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How to reverse mouse scrolling on macOS

Switching from Windows to macOS can feel deeply frustrating when your mouse wheel moves web pages in the opposite direction. This guide breaks down the easiest ways to fix mouse scrolling using native menus, lightweight utilities, or a quick command-line tweak.

Marcio Cunha•5 min
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Summary
  • Native macOS settings reverse scrolling globally, changing both the mouse and the built-in trackpad at the same time.
  • Free third-party utilities like Scroll Reverser solve the dilemma of wanting natural scrolling on a trackpad and traditional scrolling on a mouse.
  • The Terminal command-line approach modifies the underlying global preference file directly without needing extra installed software.
  • Gaming mouse companion software often overrides system settings and requires manual checking when troubleshooting unexpected scrolling behavior.
  • Simple native settings work best for general adjustments, while dedicated apps provide the flexibility needed for mixed hardware setups.

Why this happens

macOS uses natural scrolling, a touch-inspired motion copied from iOS where content moves directly with your fingers, much like sliding a piece of paper. If you came from Windows, where the scrollbar dictates the movement, it may feel reversed. You can change it quickly.

Method 1: System Settings (native)

macOS Ventura 13+

  1. Apple menu → System Settings
  2. Mouse
  3. Disable Natural scrolling

macOS Monterey 12 and earlier

  1. Apple menu → System Preferences
  2. Mouse
  3. Disable Natural scrolling

This affects mouse and trackpad together.

Method 2: Separate mouse and trackpad

  • Scroll Reverser (free): simple and lightweight utility that flips the wheel direction without touching the trackpad
  • SteerMouse (paid): advanced control panel for custom button assignments and fine-tuning

Method 3: Terminal (advanced)

Disable natural scrolling using the command line, which acts as a text-based control panel:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false

Enable natural scrolling:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool true

Restart your Mac after running the command.

Quick tips

  • Try the new direction for a few days.
  • Some apps have their own scroll settings.
  • Gaming mouse drivers can interfere.

Conclusion

For simplicity, use native settings. For different behavior between mouse and trackpad, use a dedicated app.