A method for improving unlocking speed and a mobile terminal are provided. The method is applicable to the mobile terminal in a screen-off state and equipped with a metal dome array. The method includes the follows. A first thread is executed when a current unlock mode of the mobile terminal is press-to-trigger fingerprint unlock in the screen-off state, and a second thread is executed during the execution of the first thread. The first thread includes the following. An operation instruction is received when a user touches a fingerprint module, a fingerprint image is acquired, the fingerprint image acquired is compared with a preset fingerprint image, and unlock after a successful match. The second thread includes the following. An operation instruction is received when the user presses the metal dome array, and wait for unlocking success and then a display screen is lit up.