A method for launching an application and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes the following operations. Whether a touch operation of a user received on a touch display screen of a mobile terminal belongs to a touch operation set in a mapping relationship with an application set of the mobile terminal is judged, in response to the touch operation being detected when the touch display screen is in a screen-off mode. A proximity sensor in an off-state or a dormant-state is started based on a judgment that the touch operation belongs to the touch operation set. Existence of an occlusion within a preset distance in front of the touch display screen is detected with the proximity sensor. An application corresponding to the touch operation is launched when no occlusion exists.