Scroll Reverser for MAC

Free, open-source Mac app that reverses scrolling, with separate settings for trackpads and mice.

Scroll Reverser Overview

Scroll Reverser is a free, open-source Mac app that reverses the direction of scrolling, with separate settings for trackpads and mice, including the Magic Mouse. macOS has only one scroll direction setting for both, so many people end up with "natural" scrolling on the trackpad and a mouse wheel that feels backwards. Scroll Reverser fixes that: keep natural scrolling on the trackpad and classic scrolling on the mouse, or any mix you like. It is made by Nick Moore of Pilot Moon Software and released under the Apache License 2.0.

Scroll Reverser 1.9.1 needs macOS 13.5 or later and runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It is a small, self-contained app that runs in the menu bar and needs Accessibility permission to change scrolling. For wheel mice, it also adds a step size control, so each click of the wheel scrolls a fixed amount instead of using macOS scroll acceleration.

Key Features

Scroll Reverser sits in the menu bar and changes scrolling only where you want.

  • Separate trackpad and mouse settings: reverse one, both or neither.
  • Magic Mouse support: the Magic Mouse is covered by the mouse setting.
  • Vertical and horizontal: choose which scroll directions to reverse.
  • Step size control: scroll a fixed number of lines with each click of a wheel mouse.
  • Menu bar app: turn reversing on and off from the menu bar.
  • Many languages: the interface is translated into many languages by volunteers.
  • Easy to remove: quit the app and move it to the Trash; nothing is installed deep in the system.

What’s New in Version 1.9.1

Scroll Reverser 1.9.1 makes the app more reliable.

  • Fixed Scroll Reverser stopping randomly or after the Mac wakes from sleep
  • Fixed the menu bar icon looking blurry on displays with a different resolution
  • Preferences is now called Settings, to match macOS
  • Updated the automatic update framework
  • New Persian translation and corrected Swedish and Polish translations

Scroll Reverser FAQ

Is Scroll Reverser free?

Yes. Scroll Reverser is free and open source, released under the Apache License 2.0. You can support its developer with a voluntary donation.

Why would I need Scroll Reverser?

macOS has a single scroll direction setting for trackpads and mice. Scroll Reverser lets you set them separately, for example natural scrolling on the trackpad and classic scrolling on a mouse.

What settings does the developer recommend?

For natural scrolling on the trackpad and classic scrolling on the mouse, turn natural scrolling on in System Settings, then set Scroll Reverser to Reverse trackpad off and Reverse mouse on. The other way round also works, but gestures may feel wrong.

Which macOS version does Scroll Reverser need?

Scroll Reverser 1.9 and later need macOS 13.5 or later and run on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Why can't I enable Scroll Reverser?

Make sure the app is in your Applications folder. Then, in System Settings, Privacy & Security, Accessibility, remove Scroll Reverser with the minus button, add it back with the plus button, and start it again.

Scroll Reverser sees my trackpad as a mouse. What can I do?

Turn off the Accessibility zoom option "Use trackpad gesture to zoom", which stops Scroll Reverser telling the two apart. Very old Macs without a multi-touch trackpad, and some third-party trackpads, are always seen as a mouse.

Can Scroll Reverser reverse swipe gestures?

No. Swipe gestures follow the macOS natural scrolling setting. Set that the way you like, then use Scroll Reverser to adjust scrolling on top of it.

Why doesn't Scroll Reverser work in iPhone Mirroring or Calendar?

Those apps scroll with gestures rather than scroll events, and Scroll Reverser cannot reverse gestures.

How do I uninstall Scroll Reverser?

Quit the app and move it to the Trash. You can also delete its settings file, com.pilotmoon.scroll-reverser.plist, from your Library Preferences folder.

Where does the Scroll Reverser download on scroll-reverser.FULLMAC.app come from?

The download button leads to Scroll Reverser's official page at https://pilotmoon.com/scrollreverser/. scroll-reverser.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.

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FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.