A mobile device with edge activation is provided. The mobile device comprises: a housing; a data capture component; an actuator disposed on a side of the housing and configured to activate the data capture component when actuated; a display, disposed within the housing; a touch screen disposed on the display; a tactile indicator at the housing between the actuator and the touch screen; and, an activation area of the touch screen, adjacent the tactile indicator, the activation area configured to initiate a digital location for activating the data capture component when touch input is received at the activation area.