Stop a two-finger swipe sending your browser back a page

Why it happens

With Swipe between pages on, sliding two fingers to the left or right goes back or forward a page in Safari and other apps. It's easy to do by accident while scrolling, especially on a wide page or a form. Moving the gesture to three fingers, or turning it off, stops the surprise.

How to fix it

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

2. Click More Gestures, then find Swipe between pages.

   Trackpad›More Gestures›Swipe between pages

3. Choose Off to stop it, or Swipe with Three Fingers if you still want the gesture but harder to trigger.

4. Try a sideways scroll on a long web page. It should scroll without leaving the page.

Still not fixed?

1. Using a Magic Mouse? It has its own setting. With the mouse connected, open Mouse > More Gestures and change Swipe between pages there.

   Mouse›More Gestures›Swipe between pages

2. Lost something you were typing? Press Command-] or swipe the other way to go forward again. Some pages keep what you'd typed, but not all.

3. If the trackpad moves, clicks or swipes on its own, unplug any accessories and check it with clean, dry fingers. On a MacBook, a trackpad that feels raised or hard to click can mean the battery needs checking.

4. If the pointer still jumps or pages change by themselves, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. That points to a hardware problem.