Before we dive into the "how," let's talk about the "why." Touchscreens are great for convenience—swiping to navigate, tapping to select—but they're not always ideal. Here are a few common situations where disabling the touchscreen makes total sense:
Kids and curious hands: If you have little ones at home, you know screens are like magnets. A quick tap can turn a movie into a game of "find the home button" faster than you can grab a snack. Disabling the touchscreen turns your Incell TV into a "kid-proof" viewing hub—no more accidental app launches or volume spikes.
Digital signage mode: Small businesses love the Incell portable smart TV for its portability and crisp display. Whether you're running a café, a bookstore, or a pop-up shop, using it as digital signage lets you loop ads, menus, or promotions. But if customers (or even employees) keep touching the screen, you'll spend more time fixing disruptions than focusing on sales. Disabling touch keeps your content running smoothly.
Shared spaces: Think family rooms, dormitories, or office break areas. When multiple people use a device, accidental touches are inevitable. Maybe your roommate pauses your show to check the weather; maybe a coworker taps the screen to adjust the brightness. Disabling touch ensures the TV stays focused on its task—whether that's streaming, displaying info, or just being a background entertainment hub.
Minimizing distractions: Let's be honest—even adults can get distracted. You're trying to follow a workout video, and your finger slips, hitting "rewind." Or you're using the TV as a second monitor (yes, it can do that!), and a stray tap messes up your spreadsheet. Disabling the touchscreen removes that temptation, keeping you in the zone.
Pro Tip: Disabling the touchscreen doesn't mean losing control! You can still navigate using the remote control or even your phone (if you've set up the Incell TV app). We'll cover remote navigation later in the guide.
No need to gather a toolbox—disabling the touchscreen is a software tweak, not a hardware project. Here's what you'll need to get started:
Got all that? Great! Let's move on to the good stuff: actually disabling the touchscreen. We'll cover three methods, starting with the simplest (no tech skills required) and moving to slightly more advanced options. Choose the one that works best for your setup.
This is the go-to method for most users. It's built into the Incell TV's operating system, so no extra tools or apps are needed. Here's how to do it:
Grab your remote and press the "Home" button—it's usually the round or house-shaped button at the top. This will take you to the main home screen, where you'll see icons for apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Settings. The Settings icon looks like a gear or a wrench—scroll to it using the arrow keys on the remote, then press "OK" to select.
Once in Settings, you'll see a list of options: Network, Sound, Display, Apps, etc. Use the remote's arrow keys to scroll down until you find either "Display" or "Touchscreen" (the label can vary slightly by model). For most Incell portable smart TVs, it's under "Display," but if you don't see it there, check "System" or "Device" settings—you can't miss it. Press "OK" to enter.
Inside the Display or Touchscreen menu, look for a toggle switch labeled "Touchscreen Enable," "Touch Input," or something similar. It might be a slider that's currently set to "On" (usually highlighted in blue or green). Use the remote's arrow keys to select the toggle, then press "OK" to flip it to "Off."
A pop-up will appear, asking if you're sure you want to disable the touchscreen. It might say something like, "Disabling touchscreen will prevent all touch input. Continue?" Use the remote to select "Yes" or "OK," then press "OK" again. After a second, the screen will dim briefly (this is normal!), and the touchscreen will be disabled.
Quick Check: To make sure it worked, try tapping the screen with your finger. Nothing should happen—no menus, no app launches, just your content playing smoothly. If it still responds, double-check that you flipped the toggle to "Off" and confirmed the pop-up.
What if you need to disable the touchscreen in a hurry? Maybe your kid is about to pounce, or a customer is already reaching for the screen. Incell built in a handy remote shortcut for just this scenario. Here's how to use it:
On your Incell remote, find the "Menu" button (usually labeled "Menu" or with three horizontal lines) and the "Volume Down" button (marked with a "-" sign). These are typically on the right side of the remote, near the arrow keys.
Press and hold "Menu" and "Volume Down" at the same time. Hold them for 5-7 seconds—don't let go too soon! You'll know it's working when a small icon appears in the top-right corner of the screen: it looks like a hand with a line through it (the universal "no touch" symbol).
Let go of the buttons, and the icon will stay on the screen for a few seconds to confirm. Now, test the screen by tapping it—no response means it's disabled! This method is perfect for quick fixes, and it works even if you're in the middle of streaming a video (no need to pause and navigate menus).
Pro Tip: To re-enable the touchscreen later, use the same shortcut: press and hold "Menu" and "Volume Down" for 5 seconds. The hand icon will appear again, this time with a checkmark, letting you know touch is back on.
If the first two methods don't work for your model (older Incell TVs might have slightly different menus), or if you want extra features (like scheduling when the touchscreen is disabled), third-party apps are the way to go. Here's how to set it up:
Make sure your Incell portable smart TV is connected to Wi-Fi (go to Settings > Network to check). Then, from the home screen, open the Google Play Store app (the colorful triangle icon). If you don't see it, it might be in the "Apps" folder—use the remote to search for it.
In the Play Store's search bar, type "touchscreen blocker" or "disable touch input." Look for apps with high ratings (4 stars or more) and lots of downloads—popular options include "Touch Blocker," "Screen Lock," and "Kids Mode." Read the reviews to make sure they work with Android TVs (most do, but it's better to double-check).
select an app, click "Install," and wait for it to download (this takes 1-2 minutes). Once installed, open the app. You'll likely need to grant it permissions (like "display over other apps")—follow the on-screen prompts. Most apps will have a big "Disable Touchscreen" button; tap it (yes, one last touch!) to activate. Some apps even let you set a schedule (e.g., disable touch from 9 AM to 5 PM for digital signage) or a PIN to re-enable later—handy for businesses!
Word of Caution: Only download apps from trusted developers to avoid malware. Stick to apps with 100,000+ downloads and positive reviews. If an app asks for weird permissions (like access to your contacts), skip it—you don't need that for blocking touch!
Now that you know three ways to disable the touchscreen, which one is right for you? Let's break it down with a quick comparison:
| Method | Difficulty Level | Time to Complete | Works Offline? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Settings | Easy (no tech skills needed) | 1-2 minutes | Yes | Most users, everyday use |
| Remote Shortcut | Super Easy (one-step) | 5 seconds | Yes | Quick fixes, kids/pets nearby |
| Third-Party Apps | Moderate (requires Wi-Fi) | 5-10 minutes (setup only) | No (needs Wi-Fi to download) | Advanced features (scheduling, PIN lock), digital signage |
For most people, the System Settings method is the sweet spot—it's reliable, offline, and easy to remember. The Remote Shortcut is perfect for emergencies, and third-party apps are great if you need extra control (like locking the screen during business hours).
Even the best tutorials hit snags sometimes. If you're having trouble disabling the touchscreen, try these fixes:
Still Stuck? Reach out to Incell customer support—they're surprisingly helpful! You can find their contact info on the Incell website, or use the "Support" app on your TV (if available). Have your model number handy (it's on the back of the TV or in Settings > About).
Now that your touchscreen is disabled, why not put your Incell portable smart TV to work as a digital signage display? It's way more affordable than a dedicated floor standing digital signage unit, and just as effective. Here's how to set it up:
Decide what to display: photos, videos, menus, or social media feeds. Use free tools like Canva to design professional-looking slideshows, or upload videos directly from a USB drive (plug it into the TV's USB port).
Most media players (like the built-in "Gallery" app or third-party apps like "SlideShow") let you loop content. Open the app, select your files, and set it to "Loop" or "Repeat." Now your ads or menus will play nonstop—no need to manually restart.
For a polished look, invest in a cheap tabletop or wall mount (check Amazon for "portable TV mount"). If you're using it in a store, prop it up near the entrance—since the touchscreen is disabled, you won't have to worry about customers messing with it.
You might be wondering: "Why not just use a 24.5 inch portable monitor instead?" Great question! While monitors are fantastic for work (think laptops and desktops), the Incell portable smart TV has a few key advantages for digital signage:
That said, if you already own a 24.5 inch portable monitor, you can still use it for signage—just connect it to a streaming device (like a Fire Stick) and disable the touchscreen (if it has one) using similar methods.
Disabling the touchscreen on your Incell portable smart TV might seem like a small tweak, but it can make a huge difference in your daily life. Whether you're avoiding toddler-induced chaos, running a smoother business with digital signage, or just enjoying uninterrupted streaming, you're now equipped to take control of your screen. And remember—if you ever need the touchscreen back, just reverse the steps: go back to Settings, flip the toggle, or re-enable via the remote shortcut.
So go ahead—prop up your Incell TV, disable that touchscreen, and enjoy the peace of mind. No more accidental taps, no more disruptions, just your content—exactly how you want it. And if you found this guide helpful, pass it along to a friend who could use a little less screen chaos in their life!