Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for processing a touch input in the mobile terminal. The method includes transmitting information displayed in the mobile terminal to an external display device when connected to the external display device through a wired or wireless interface, receiving a first input, identifying a holding time of the first input when receiving a second input following the first input, and processing the second input according to the holding time of the identified first input. Accordingly, the touch input is analyzed and a subsequent drag input is performed as a pointer movement or a scroll operation in accordance with a holding time of the touch input, so that a user can conveniently select a desired item.