OS X Lion changed the default behavior of scrolling within a window or application. Scrolling is now performed using what Apple calls a "natural" scrolling method. Based on how multi-touch iOS devices scroll, the method will seem backwards for Mac users who have mostly or only worked with indirect pointing devices, such as mice and touchpads. With multi-touch devices, you use your finger directly on a screen to control the scrolling process.

In essence, natural scrolling reverses the standard scrolling direction. In pre-Lion versions of OS X, you scrolled down to bring information that was below the window into view. With natural scrolling, the direction of scrolling is up; in essence, you are moving the page up to view the content that is below the view of the current window.

Natural scrolling works very well in a direct touch-based interface; you grab the page and pull it up to view its contents. On a Mac, this may seem a bit perverse at first. You may even decide that being unnatural isn't such a bad thing.

Thankfully, you can change the default behavior of OS X Lion's scrolling, and return it to its unnatural state.

Changing Scrolling Direction in OS X

1. Launch System Preferences, by clicking the System Preferences icon in the Dock, selecting System Preferences from the Apple menu, or the newest method in Lion, clicking the Launchpad icon in the Dock and selecting the System Preferences icon.
2. When System Preferences opens, select Mouse or Trackpad, depending on the type of pointing device you're using.

1. Mouse: Select the Point & Click tab.
2. Trackpad: Select the Scroll & Zoom tab.
3. Mouse or Trackpad: Remove the check mark next to "Scroll direction: natural."

Your mouse or trackpad will now scroll the same way it did in previous versions of OS X.

Should you wish to return to a more natural state, just follow the process above and put the checkmark back in its appropriate box.

Published: 7/22/2015

Updated: 8/19/2015