README.md

macOS toggle-natural-scrolling helper

There's only one setting for Natural Scrolling in macOS. On the surface there are two (one for Trackpad and one for Mouse) but changing one changes the other.

I like to have Natural Scrolling on for Trackpad and off for Mouse. This is where this script comes in handy.

Tested on Sonoma. Tried a bunch of different scripts but this is the one that worked so I've put it here.

Setup

1. Open script in Script Editor.
2. File -> Export... as an application in Applications (choose whatever name you like).
3. In System Settings on to "Privacy & Security" and add the new application in "Accessibility" section.

Now you can run this application and it will toggle the Natural Scrolling setting in Trackpad System Settings.

toggle-natural-scrolling.applescript

try
	
	tell application "System Settings"
		activate
	end tell
	
	delay 1
	
	if application "System Settings" is running then
		
		tell application "System Events"
			tell application process "System Settings"
				click menu item "Trackpad" of menu "View" of menu bar item "View" of menu bar 1
				delay 0.5
				click radio button 2 of tab group 1 of group 1 of group 2 of splitter group 1 of group 1 of window "Trackpad"
				delay 0.3
				click checkbox "Natural scrolling" of group 1 of scroll area 1 of group 1 of group 2 of splitter group 1 of group 1 of window "Trackpad"
				
				
				click menu item "Close" of menu "File" of menu bar item "File" of menu bar 1
			end tell
		end tell
	end if
on error errMsg number errNum
	display alert "Error " & errNum & ": " & errMsg
end try