Mac trackpad scrolling backwards? Change the scroll direction

Why it happens

Macs come with Natural scrolling on. The page moves the way your fingers move, as if you were pushing paper, just like on an iPhone. Windows laptops usually do the opposite, moving the scroll bar instead, so it can feel backwards at first.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click Trackpad in the sidebar.

2. Click the Scroll & Zoom tab at the top, then turn Natural scrolling off.

   Trackpad›Scroll & Zoom›Natural scrolling

3. Put two fingers on the trackpad and slide them down on a web page. You should now move further down the page, as if dragging the scroll bar. Turn the switch back on if you prefer the Mac way.

Still not fixed?

1. Using a mouse as well? Mouse settings shows the same switch. It's one setting, so changing it in either place changes both the mouse and the trackpad.

   Mouse›Natural scrolling

2. If the trackpad doesn't scroll at all, use two fingers, not one, and keep them slightly apart. Restart your Mac if it still won't scroll.

3. If the trackpad is stiff, won't press down, or your MacBook no longer sits flat, stop using it. A swollen battery can do this, which is a hardware problem: contact Apple Support or a repair shop.