Buzz
Scrolling preferences are a significant discussion point among MacBook users. Many favor natural scrolling on the trackpad, where swiping two fingers upward causes the screen to scroll downward, and swiping downward scrolls upward. This method mimics the motion of moving a physical document, though it may seem unconventional at first.
By default, Macs enable natural scrolling, causing the screen to move in the opposite direction of your finger gestures. While some users appreciate this feature, those accustomed to Windows might find it disorienting and choose to disable it.
For users like myself, natural scrolling feels intuitive on the trackpad, but traditional scrolling is preferred when using a physical mouse. Unfortunately, MacBooks only allow a single scrolling setting for all devices by default. To address this, Scroll Reverser, a free application, enables users to assign distinct scrolling directions for the trackpad and an external mouse.
After installing the app, it will request Accessibility permissions to detect the device in use and apply the appropriate settings. Grant these permissions, and Scroll Reverser will appear in the menu bar. Open the app, navigate to Preferences, and check
Once configured, Scroll Reverser ensures natural scrolling remains active on the trackpad while allowing traditional scrolling with your mouse.
Scroll Reverser offers an additional feature for mouse users: adjusting the scroll wheel's step size. Often, a single scroll step moves the page too drastically, but this app lets you fine-tune it. Access Scroll Reverser's Preferences and adjust the slider under Step size until the scrolling feels just right.
With this setup complete, you might also want to explore adding a middle-click button to your Mac's trackpad and mouse.
