The touch control screen on a mobile device is convenient but only if you are familiar with the touch controls
You need to be familiar with a number of touch gestures used on these devices.
The picture below shows examples like drag (or swipe) where the movement is shown sideways.
On some devices this movement is vertically up or down depending on the device design.
- Tap - this is a single finger gesture that taps the screen briefly
- Double Tap - the tap gesture repeated, like a mouse double-click
- Drag (or Swipe) - hold the finger on-screen and move sideways or vertically
- Flick - swipe sideways or vertically releasing touch while still moving
- Pinch - touch with two fingers and pull closer together
- Spread - the opposite of pinch, spreading two fingers further apart
- Press - a tap that is held on the screen briefly
- Press & Tap - Press with one finger followed by a second finger tap
Multi-touch is a gesture that may use multiple fingers. These are less common but may still be useful. Check on your own device instructions.
You may want to practice these gestures on your device as they are very sensitive to touch.
Some devices will also recognise gestures that do not require the screen to be touched.
Touch and gesture control may be adjusted to suit the user in the Settings controls of the device.
Touching Facts
- Because of the way the touch screen works you cannot use it with ordinary gloves (special gloves are available)
- No force is required so be gentle
- With an incoming phone call you might have to Swipe or Tap depending on the phone model!
- Touch screens may be hard to use immediately after using antiseptic hand cleanser
- Better quality devices have more responsive touch screens