The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a touch screen configured to perform fingerprint recognition and a control method therefor. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a wireless communication unit; a touch screen including a fingerprint recognition sensor; and a controller configured to cause the touch screen to display a virtual home button at one area of the touch screen based on a touch received at the one area; perform fingerprint authentication on a fingerprint of a finger used to apply the touch to the virtual home button via the fingerprint recognition sensor when the touch is maintained at the one area after the virtual home button is displayed.