How to Disable Apple iPhone 14 Plus Unwanted Touchpad Overlays

What Are Touchpad Overlays on the iPhone 14 Plus?

On the iPhone 14 Plus, a touchpad overlay is any floating visual aid that appears on the screen to show where your finger or stylus is touching. Apple includes several accessibility features that can trigger these overlays, such as AssistiveTouch, Touch Accommodations, or the Pointer feature used for remote control. They can also appear if a developer tool or a third‑party app is running in the background. While helpful for some users, many people find the overlays distracting and want to disable them.

The goal of this guide is to walk you through every built‑in setting that can produce an overlay and show you exactly how to turn it off. By the end you’ll have a clean, unobstructed screen for all your apps and games.

Recognizing the Different Overlays

If you see a small floating icon that you can drag around, you’re likely dealing with AssistiveTouch. If you see a brief flash every time you tap, Touch Accommodations is on. A small, visible cursor that follows your finger indicates the Pointer feature. A “Show Touches” overlay will leave a trail of dots on the screen. Finally, a developer overlay will look like a translucent layer that marks tap locations.

Disabling AssistiveTouch

AssistiveTouch provides an on‑screen button that gives you an alternative way to access gestures and controls. It is very useful for users who find the hardware buttons difficult to use, but it is also the most common source of a floating overlay on the 14 Plus.

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll to Accessibility and tap it.
3. Under the Touch section, tap AssistiveTouch.
4. Toggle the switch to Off.

The button disappears immediately, and the overlay will no longer appear. If you need to keep AssistiveTouch for occasional use, consider moving it to a corner where it is less intrusive, but turning it off is the quickest fix.

Turning Off Touch Accommodations

Touch Accommodations changes the way the screen interprets a tap, adding a brief highlight and delay that can be useful for people with motor control issues. When enabled, a small visual cue appears on each tap.

1. In Accessibility, tap Touch.
2. Select Touch Accommodations.
3. If the switch is on, toggle it Off.

Optional: Disable the Visual Highlight Only

If you still want the delay but not the highlight, you can turn off the Show Touches option:

1. While still in the Touch Accommodations screen, tap Show Touches.
2. Toggle it Off.

Removing the Pointer

The Pointer feature is designed for users who need a visual cue to locate their finger, especially when using a mouse or trackpad with iPhone. If you are using a regular touchscreen, the pointer can look out of place.

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch.
2. Tap Pointer.
3. Toggle the Pointer switch Off.

If you prefer a different cursor shape or size, you can adjust those settings while keeping the feature on.

Disabling the Show Touches Overlay

Sometimes developers enable a Show Touches overlay to debug touch input. It shows a glowing dot at every finger touch and can be turned off in Settings.

1. In Accessibility, tap Touch.
2. Select Touch Accommodations.
3. Find Show Touches and toggle it Off.

This setting is independent of the Show Touches in AssistiveTouch, so you should check both if you still see the dots.

Eliminating Developer Overlays

Developer overlays are rarely used by normal users, but they can be enabled accidentally when running an app from Xcode or using a remote debugging tool.

• Xcode’s Debug Overlay: If you’re using Xcode to debug an app on your device, the overlay will disappear when you stop the debugging session.
• Third‑Party Remote Tools: Some screen‑recording or remote‑control apps show an overlay to indicate touch points. Close the app or disable the overlay in its own settings.

If you suspect a third‑party app is the culprit, try disabling it or uninstalling it to confirm.

Resetting Accessibility Settings

If you have tried every toggle above and the overlay still appears, a quick reset of all accessibility settings can help.

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset.
3. Choose Reset Accessibility Settings.

This will return all accessibility options to their default state, removing any hidden overlays.

How to Verify the Overlay Is Gone

After disabling the features, test the screen by:

1. Swiping across the display with one finger.
2. Tapping in different locations.
3. Using the Control Center or other shortcuts.

If nothing appears except the normal UI elements, the overlay is successfully removed.

Customizing Overlays for Minimal Disruption

If you want to keep a feature but reduce its visual impact, you can adjust its appearance:

• AssistiveTouch: Drag the button to a corner and reduce its size by selecting AssistiveTouch → Customize Top Level Menu → Reduce Transparency.
• Pointer: In Pointer Settings, choose a smaller cursor size or lower the pointer opacity.
• Touch Accommodations: Turn Show Touches off while keeping the delay.

These tweaks allow you to keep the accessibility benefit while making the overlay less distracting.

FAQ

Q: I still see a small glowing dot when I tap. What am I missing?
A: That is the Show Touches overlay. Check Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Touch Accommodations → Show Touches and ensure it is toggled off.

Q: How can I tell if a third‑party app is causing the overlay?
A: Try closing or uninstalling recently installed apps, especially those that involve screen recording or remote control. If the overlay disappears, that app was the source.

Q: I need AssistiveTouch for a quick gesture but don’t want the button to clutter my screen.
A: Move the button to a corner and reduce its size. If that still bothers you, use the AssistiveTouch shortcut to bring it up only when needed.

Q: Does turning off Accessibility settings affect other features?
A: Only the accessibility features you toggle are affected. Turning off AssistiveTouch, for example, will not disable VoiceOver or Magnifier.

Final Thoughts

Touchpad overlays can be a minor annoyance, but they are designed to help people with a variety of needs. By following the steps above, you can disable or customize these overlays to suit your preferences. Whether you’re using a fresh iPhone 14 Plus or a device that has been in use for a while, a clean screen is just a few taps away.

Remember: accessibility is there to help, not hinder. Keep it on for the features you need, and disable the rest. Enjoy a distraction‑free experience on your iPhone 14 Plus.