On a Mac, changing your trackpad’s scrolling direction also affects any external mouse you use (except Apple’s Magic Mouse). It’s quite frustrating if you’re used to a different scrolling behavior the mouse and trackpad. While macOS doesn’t natively offer separate settings, here’s a simple workaround to set independent scroll directions for your mouse and trackpad.
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Default Way to Change Scroll Direction on macOS
Before we jump to the solutions, let’s check the default way to change scroll direction in macOS Settings:
- Click the Apple logo on the top left corner.
- Go to System Settings > Mouse (will only appear when a mouse is connected).
- Toggle Natural Scrolling on or off to change the mouse’s scrolling direction.
This setting is linked to Trackpad settings, so it will also change the scrolling direction in System Settings > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom. To unlink them and set independent scrolling directions for your mouse and trackpad, you can use the third-party apps.
1. Mos App
Mos is a lightweight, open-source tool that lets you set scroll direction independently for your mouse on macOS. It is completely free and requires macOS 10.11 or later. Here’s how to use it:
1. Download Mos from the official website. Open the DMG file and drag the app icon to your Applications folder. After that, it will appear in your Launchpad and Applications folder.
Download: Mos
2. Launch Mos and follow the on-screen instructions to grant accessibility access in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
3. Return to the app and tick the box for Reverse Scroll. This will reverse the scrolling direction for your mouse only.
You can set different scroll directions for your trackpad and mouse. For example, you could keep your trackpad’s Natural scrolling while reversing the direction for your mouse.
Additional features of Mos app:
- Launch at login: Automatically start Mos when your Mac boots up.
- Smooth Scrolling: Enable a more fluid and natural scrolling experience.
- Scroll Acceleration: Adjust how quickly scrolling speeds up as you move your mouse.
- Horizontal Scrolling: Reverse the horizontal scrolling direction on your mouse.
- Per-Application Settings: Customize the scrolling behavior for individual applications.
2. LinearMouse App
LinearMouse is a similar app with more features. You can reverse horizontal and vertical scroll directions, turn off mouse acceleration, and keep different settings for each mouse and trackpad connected to your Mac. Here’s how to use it:
1. Download the LinearMouse dmg file. Open it and drag the app icon into Applications folder.
Download: LinearMouse
2. Open the app. It will ask you for accessibility permission. Tap Open Accessibility > Open System Settings in the pop-up that appears next.
3. On the next screen, toggle on access for LinearMouse.
4. Turn on the Reverse Scrolling toggle while your external mouse is connected (the top left corner should display the name of your external mouse). Else, it will reverse the scrolling direction for your MacBook’s trackpad.
Your mouse will now scroll in the reverse direction, independent of your trackpad settings.
Additional features of LinearMouse app:
- Per-Device Settings: Customize scrolling speed and acceleration independently for each mouse and trackpad.
- Pointer Precision: Adjust scrolling mode, acceleration, and cursor speed.
- Disable Mouse Acceleration: Disable pointer acceleration for better accuracy (useful for gamers and designers).
- Horizontal Scrolling: Reverse horizontal scrolling direction and adjust its sensitivity.
- Modifier Key Bindings: Assign functions like scrolling direction or speed changes to modifier keys (e.g., Shift, Control, Option).
3. Scroll Reverser App
Scroll Reverser is another open-source app that lets you set scroll directions separately for your mouse and trackpad. It’s the most straightforward and balanced app on the list. Here’s how to use it:
1. Download Scroll Reverser from the link below. Unzip the file and double-click on ScrollReverser.app.
Download: Scroll Reverser
2. The app will start running and automatically appear in your menu bar on the top right corner. Click on it and choose Enable Scroll Reverser.
3. It will prompt you for accessibility and input monitoring permissions. Allow both.
4. After that, check the box for Enable Scroll Reverser.
5. Under Scrolling Axes, choose which directions to reverse: Reverse Vertical Scroll, Reverse Horizontal Scroll, or both.
6. Similarly, under Scrolling Devices, uncheck the box for Reverse Trackpad to reverse only the mouse.
Additional features of ScrollReverser app:
- Per-Device Settings: Choose to reverse scrolling for specific devices (e.g., only your mouse).
- Horizontal Scrolling: Reverse horizontal scrolling direction.
- Step Size: Adjust how much content scrolls with each mouse wheel movement.
- Legacy Support: Works with older macOS versions (as old as 10.4 Tiger).
Which App Should You Use
If you prefer a simple app, consider Mos or Scroll Reverser — both are open source, with Scroll Reverser offering slightly more features. However, if you want a wider range of customization options, LinearMouse might be better. Fortunately, all three apps are free to download and use, so you can easily try them out and find what works best for you.
To help you choose the right app, here’s a quick comparison of their features:
| App Name | Customization Level | Key Features | Open Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mos | Limited | Reverse vertical/horizontal scrolling, smooth scrolling, per-application settings, disable mouse acceleration | Yes |
| LinearMouse | Extensive | Reverse vertical/horizontal scrolling, adjustable sensitivity, disable/adjust mouse acceleration, modifier key bindings, per-device settings | No |
| Scroll Reverser | Basic | Reverse vertical/horizontal scrolling, adjust scroll step size, per-device settings | Yes |
If you’re interested in further customization, you can also personalize your mouse pointer. Here’s how to change the mouse pointer on Mac.
