Introduction
Have you ever found yourself accidentally tapping on your phone or tablet screen while trying to hold it in one hand? Or perhaps you want to save battery life by turning off the touch screen on your laptop. Whatever the reason, disabling the touch screen can be a useful feature on many devices. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide to turning off touch screens on different systems, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. We will also discuss the reasons why disabling touch screens can benefit your device and explore alternative navigation methods you can use.
A Complete Guide to Turning Off Touch Screen on Different Systems
Disabling touch screen may vary depending on your operating system or device. Here are the specific steps you need to follow:
Laptops
Whether you’re using a Windows or Mac laptop, disabling the touch screen is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to turn off the touch screen on your laptop:
- For Windows: Go to Device Manager, look for the touch screen device under Human Interface Devices, right-click it, and select Disable Device.
- For Mac: Go to System Preferences and choose Accessibility. Select Mouse & Trackpad and check the Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present box.
Tablets
Disabling touch screens on tablets is similar to laptops, but the process may differ depending on your tablet’s operating system. Here are the steps to turn off the touch screen on popular tablets:
- iPad: Go to Settings, select General, and then select Accessibility. Turn on AssistiveTouch and select Custom Actions, then select Single-Tap. Under Single-Tap, select Open Menu, and choose the option to do nothing.
- Android: Go to Settings, select Developer options, then select Pointer location. Turn off Show touches to disable the touch screen.
Mobile Phones
Disabling touch screens on mobile phones can be useful during calls or when you’re holding your phone in one hand. Here are the steps to turn off the touch screen on popular mobile phones:
- iPhone: Go to Settings, select General, and then select Accessibility. Turn on AssistiveTouch and create a new gesture by selecting Custom and recording a single-tap gesture. Under Single-Tap, select Open Menu, and choose the option to do nothing.
- Android: Go to Settings, select Developer options, then select Pointer location. Turn off Show touches to disable the touch screen.
Why Turning Off Touch Screen Can Be Good for Your Device
Disabling touch screens has many benefits worth considering. Here are some reasons why you should turn off touch screens on your device:
Conserves Battery Life
Touch screens drain battery life from your device faster than keyboards or touchpads. Disabling the touch screen can save battery power, allowing you to use your device for longer periods between recharges.
Prevents Accidental Touches
If you’re holding your device with one hand, you might accidentally touch the screen, causing unwanted actions or mistakes. By disabling the touch screen, you prevent accidental touches from interfering with your work.
Increases Device Security
Touch screens can be sensitive to hackers, especially when accessing sensitive information. By disabling the touch screen, you add an extra layer of security to your device, keeping it safer from prying eyes and hackers.
Switch to Keyboard-Only Navigation: A Guide to Disabling Touch Screen
If you’re disabling your touch screen, you might want to switch to keyboard-only navigation instead. Here’s how to do it:
Windows 10
- Press Windows key + U to open the Ease of Access Center.
- Under Explore all settings, click on Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard.
- Check the option for Use On-Screen Keyboard, and then click Apply and OK.
Mac OS X
- Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility and then click Mouse and Trackpad.
- Turn on Mouse Keys and press the Option key five times to enable it.
How to Disable Touch Screen During Presentations
If you’re giving a presentation and don’t want to accidentally touch the screen, there are different ways to disable touch screens temporarily:
Windows
If you’re using PowerPoint, you can disable touch screen by following these steps:
- Go to Settings and select Devices.
- Select Pen & Windows Ink.
- Turn off Ignore touch input when I’m using my pen.
Mac OS X
If you’re using Keynote, you can disable touch screen by following these steps:
- From the menu bar, select Keynote and then select Preferences.
- Choose Slideshow and then deselect Allow Exposé, Dashboard and others to use the screen from its preferences.
Disabling Touch Screen for Special Needs: An Accessible Guide
Disabling touch screens can improve accessibility and benefit people with certain disabilities. Here’s how to turn off touch screens on different devices:
Laptops
For Windows:
- Go to Device Manager, look for the touch screen device under Human Interface Devices, right-click it, and select Disable Device.
For Mac:
- Go to System Preferences and choose Accessibility.
- Select Mouse & Trackpad and check the Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present box.
Tablets and Mobile Phones
Both iOS and Android devices offer a variety of accessibility features that can help people with different disabilities. Here are some steps to turn off the touch screens:
- iOS: Go to Settings, select General, and then select Accessibility. Turn on AssistiveTouch and create a new gesture by selecting Custom and recording a single-tap gesture. Under Single-Tap, select Open Menu, and choose the option to do nothing.
- Android: Go to Settings, select Developer options, then select Pointer location. Turn off Show touches to disable the touch screen.
Conclusion
Turning off the touch screen can be a useful feature for anyone looking to save battery life, prevent accidental touches, or increase device security. In this article, we’ve provided a complete guide on how to disable touch screens on different systems, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. We’ve also discussed the benefits of turning off touch screens and explored alternative navigation methods you can use. Now, it’s up to you to try disabling your touch screen and see how it can improve your device’s usage.
