How to Calibrate the Touchscreen on Your Android

Get your screen working properly again

by KASHIF JAVED

Kim Kulish/Getty Images

Updated June 24, 2019

Have you ever noticed your Android's touchscreen not reacting properly when you tap it? If so, it might be time to learn how Android screen calibration works.

How to Calibrate Your Android Touchscreen

ON ANDROID 4.0 AND EARLIER

Some of the first Android devices up to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich used to have a built-in option to calibrate themselves. The HTC Thunderbolt, for example, was one of them, among other HTC models.

Depending on the device and Android version, the location of this setting may vary, but most of the time it could be found by going to Menu > Settings > Language & keyboard > Touch Input > Text Input. UnderFinger touch precision, tap either Calibration tool or Reset calibration.

ON ANDROID 5.0 AND LATER

Newer Android devices don't have this option anymore. However, there are other ways to accomplish the same purpose. One is by performing an Android factory reset, which means returning your device to the default settings and erasing all the data and applications on it.

How to Calibrate Using Touchscreen Calibration for Android

Another option is to use a third-party app. One such app is Touchscreen Calibration, which will allow you to calibrate your screen when needed. This app is free and available for download from the Google Play Store.

Launch the Google Play Store.
Search for "Touchscreen Calibration," the tap the app.
Tap Install.
Tap Open to launch the app.
Tap Calibrate to start calibrating your screen.
Follow the instructions in the app until you pass all the tests.
Once all the tests have been completed, you'll receive a notification indicating the calibration is done. Tap OK.
Restart your device. You can re-launch the application if you feel the calibration was not successful.