LinearMouse

LinearMouse is a macOS application that provides detailed control over the pointer and scroll wheel behavior for third-party mice. The tool addresses system limitations in managing input devices not manufactured by Apple.

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• Independent reverse scrolling. This function inverts the vertical and horizontal scroll direction only for the connected mouse, while maintaining the natural direction on the built-in trackpad. This separate configuration is necessary for users who employ both devices simultaneously, eliminating muscle confusion when switching between them. The adjustment applies immediately after the peripheral is connected.
• Linear scrolling without acceleration. It removes the default scrolling acceleration of macOS, which increases speed based on how fast the wheel is turned. Instead, it implements constant, discrete scrolling where each wheel click corresponds to a fixed number of lines. This behavior is identical to the standard on Windows systems and is predictable for navigating interfaces and code.
• Universal side button functionality. It translates the presses of standard side buttons (Back/Forward) into swipe gestures recognized by the system APIs. This method ensures that navigation actions work in applications like Safari, Finder, and Xcode, where native support for these buttons is inconsistent or absent. This assignment does not interfere with other functionalities assigned by the manufacturer's software.
• Cursor acceleration and sensitivity adjustment. It provides separate controls for the pointer's acceleration curve and its base sensitivity (virtual DPI). It allows you to completely disable the macOS acceleration algorithm while keeping the tracking speed adjustable. This provides 1:1 motion control between the physical mouse movement and on-screen movement, which is crucial for design and editing tasks.
• Behavior modification with modifier keys. Assign temporary actions by holding down keys like Command, Option, Control, or Shift. Available actions include temporarily changing the scrolling speed, reversing its direction, or adjusting cursor sensitivity. This feature operates in a layer mode, reverting to the base configuration upon releasing the modifier key.
• Per-device specific settings. Create and store individual setting profiles for each mouse model connected to the system. The application automatically detects the device by its product and vendor ID, applying the corresponding profile without user intervention. The profiles allow for a custom configuration for office, gaming, or design mice on a single machine.
• Granular scroll speed adjustment. Independently control the vertical and horizontal scrolling speed, defining the number of lines or pixels scrolled per wheel click. Values can be fractional for smooth scrolling. It includes a pixel-by-pixel scrolling mode for precise control in graphics applications.
• Horizontal scrolling inversion. Specifically inverts the direction of lateral scrolling (X-axis), used in web browsers and some editing applications. This function is independent of vertical scrolling inversion and can be combined with it. It is necessary for users accustomed to specific behaviors from other platforms.
• Disabling natural scrolling for gestures. Overrides the "natural scrolling" behavior of the content (following the finger) exclusively for the mouse wheel, forcing traditional directional scrolling. This setting does not affect two-finger swipe gestures on the trackpad, which maintain their separate configuration in System Preferences.
• Minimalist and centralized configuration interface. Groups all mouse control options into a single preferences window, accessible from the menu bar. The interface presents sliders, selectors, and switches organized by functionality, avoiding the need to use terminal commands or .plist configuration files for advanced adjustments.
• Action assignment to auxiliary buttons. Allows reassigning the functions of the side buttons and the middle button (wheel) to system actions other than Back/Forward, such as Mission Control, Launchpad, or showing the desktop. The assignment is made via a dropdown menu listing the actions available in macOS, providing direct integration with the system APIs.
• Real-time status monitor. Displays an icon in the menu bar indicating the active device and the loaded profile. A dropdown menu from this icon allows for quickly switching between profiles or temporarily disabling all LinearMouse modifications. The monitor also reports the connection or disconnection of compatible devices.

LinearMouse is developed by the programmer Lujjjh (Jiahao Lu). Its active development began in the year 2021. The application is written primarily in the Swift programming language, using native macOS frameworks to ensure compatibility and efficiency.

Alternatives to LinearMouse:

Bettermouse

Bettermouse is a utility application for macOS that provides smooth mouse scrolling, precise cursor speed control, and configurable links between mouse buttons and the keyboard.

Price: Free   Size: 5.2 MB   Version: 1.6.8568   OS: MacOS