How to Improve Touchscreen Sensitivity on Android Smartphones

Android smartphones users often complain about poor touch response even if they are using an expensive high end mobile phone powered with latest android operating system. There could be several reasons why the phone touch screen is not that much responsive as it should be which I shall discuss later in details. But it is also a fact that over the period of time, hardware technology is improving which is resulting into better and reliable mobile touchscreens with great features. So much reliable that if you hammer the screen and crack it, there are chances that shattered screen will respond to your finger touches. I am not talking about cheap Chinese Android phones but the phones manufactured by famous manufacturers. And no, do not try to hammer your phone screen just to test whether it still works or not.

There are two major categories under which touchscreen failure or fault lies. One is hardware related and the other one is software related. Hardware related problem may not be fixed that easily and require a repair of faulty parts or may be complete replacement of touch screen. Taking it to the service center or a personnel who can mechanically fix the touchscreens will rectify the hardware related touchscreen issue. On the other hand, the problem could be software related. Now, such problem can be fixed with tweaks, applying patches or taking some necessary measures to restore the lost touch response. So, study these tips and techniques to do the fix job at your end.

1- Update Phone Software/Firmware
Latest updates bring fix to certain trouble making parts of a software that were previously resulting into non-functioning or malfunctioning phone features or touch screen. Phone manufacturers when release updates, users should install those updates to improve the performance of phone and debug any software code problem which was left undone while creating it. If you are experiencing any touch related problem on your new phone, you should check for the updates and if available, apply them. There are great chances that if problem is software related, the manufacturer if already aware of that have released a solution for it.

2- Locate Hot fix/Patch for Touchscreen
If your phone manufacturer is one of those lousy business keepers who do not care about what they are producing, then you are left with searching for third party fixes for poorly performing touch screen of your phone. Internet is then the best source for getting information about why your phone touch screen is not working well and some possible fix for that. ‘XDA Developers’ forum could be the best source to locate for a hot fix or patch for your phone touchscreen created by some kind developer.

3- Do Calibration
Some manufacturers provide a calibration tool within the phone to do a recalibration of touchscreen. If over time, you are observing degrading touch sensitivity or responsiveness, then recalibrate the touch screen to fix it. Since gravity and other factors affect the working of touchscreen, follow the instructions provided with calibration tool to do that properly. Not following the correct procedure may result into poorer recalibration and even worst touch performance. Don’t worry, anyone can do that calibration quite easily.

4- Manage Load of Applications on Phone
If you are using an entry level or mid range Android powered smartphone, you should deal with it considering that you are not using the fastest smartphone. People usually keep installing new applications and when those applications load the phone then that’s going to make a lot of troubles like slow phone, reduced touch response, hangs or unwanted restarts. To stay away from such misery, install only necessary applications and exit the applications properly after using them. Do not let them keep running in the background as that will keep consuming available system resources. The users of expensive and high end Android smartphones should also do the same for improving phone performance.

Choose best apps for your phone. Your privacy and security will also not be compromised. If you wish to install them with APK files, always get them from reliable sources. (We have started a new project Android Picks to dig out nice apps from Play Store and another one to provide untouched latest and old APK files for apps and games to install them manually on your Android devices in case developers have not made them available for your device or you just want to switch back to previous version of application or game for any reason.)

5- Clean the Touchscreen
If your phone touchscreen is dirty with oily finger touches, dust or any other sticky material, it is not going to respond well to your finger impressions. The layer of such materials on phone screen will hinder the capturing of signals from finger touches and therefore odd touchscreen behavior can be observed. Keep the screen clean as much as possible to restore its proper functioning.

6- Use Thinner/Flexible Screen Protector
Different kind of screen protectors are available in markets. New phones also come with pre-installed screen protector. Some companies may provide a complimentary screen protector with certain models of phones which you can use for better touch performance and protecting screen from scratches. But if you buy a screen protector from market or online, make sure that it is not too thick or hard like slate. Thicker screen protector will give extra screen protection but may cause lags in touch inputs. Use good quality flexible screen protector to protect the touch screen of your smartphone and for optimum performance. You can also use good quality glass protectors. While buying online, check the reviews of people to make sure that it is not causing unwanted lags as some glass protectors fail to fit properly on curved screens causing screen to become unresponsive due to the gap between screen and glass.

7- Avoid Hitting, Bending or Throwing Phone
That’s right. Do not use your phone to hammer nails in wood or tap on doors or desks. They are not meant for that. If you put a huge smartphone in your tight jeans or trousers pocket, make sure you pull it out before sitting or kneeling down or your actions may bend and damage the phone or phone touch screen. Avoid throwing the phone or smashing it on floor.

8- Gloves and Phone Touchscreen
Most new high end smartphones touchscreens are designed to work with gloves as well. In cold winter and in countries like Canada and Russia, gloves are must to protect your hands from outside cold. So, phone manufacturers now try to make gloves compatible touchscreens. The phones that are not capable of working with thicker or any sort of gloves, users need to take care of that and try not to use gloves or use thinner gloves if possible to deal with the touchscreen based smartphones.

9- Renistall/Repair Phone Software
If phone firmware has gone bad, with several other problems, touchscreen abnormal functioning can also be triggered. The good news is, since Android is an open source mobile platform, phone manufacturers provide the options to root the phone, remove the original phone firmware and install custom ROMs. So, you have got the choice here. Either you can choose a custom ROM or go for reinstalling the stock ROM. That might fix the touchscreen issue if it is related to software. The information about how to reinstall original or custom made phone software can be obtained from internet quite easily. Some manufacturers also provide an opportunity to fix the phone software through PC suites. That facility can be utilized to repair the corrupted phone software.

Also Read:
How to Restart or Shutdown Hanged Android Phone