A mobile terminal including a display; a touch sensor overlapped with the display and configured to detect a touch input; and a controller configured to detect a first tap input applied on the touch sensor in state of a deactivated display and the touch sensor being periodically driven with a second period; determine a region of the display that corresponds to the first tap input; detect a second tap input applied on the touch sensor in state of the deactivated display within a predefined time period from the first tap input; determine if the second tap input is applied within the region; if the second tap input is applied within the region and within the predefined time period from the first tap input, activate the display and periodically drive the touch sensor with a first period shorter than the second period; and if the second tap input is applied to a spot outside the region, maintain the deactivation of the display and periodically drive the touch sensor with the second period.