Reduce touch screen sensitivity: stop accidental touches

01Why reduce sensitivity?

For children, people with hand tremors or phones that wake in a pocket, high sensitivity leads to unwanted touches. Reducing sensitivity or adding a short delay stops the wrong apps from opening. Menu names can differ slightly by manufacturer and software version.

02Touch Accommodations on iPhone

1. Open Settings › Accessibility › Touch › Touch Accommodations.
2. Hold Duration. When on, you need to keep your finger on the screen for a set time before a touch counts.
3. Ignore Repeat. Several quick touches count as one.
4. Tap Assistance. Choose whether the first or last point of a touch is used.

03Samsung and other Android phones

• Touch sensitivity: On Samsung, this option under Settings › Display increases sensitivity for screen protectors; turning it off makes the screen less responsive.
• Accidental touch protection: Stops the screen from registering touches while the phone is in a pocket or bag.
• Touch and hold delay: Found in Android’s Accessibility settings; sets how long a long press takes to register.

If you want more sensitivity instead, see increase touch screen sensitivity.

04A setting or a fault?

If the screen opens apps, types or scrolls without you touching it, it may be a touch fault rather than a setting. Liquid contact, moisture under the screen or a poor screen protector can cause it. Remove the protector and clean the screen first; if it continues, diagnosis shows whether a screen replacement is needed.