The invention relates to a method for operating an anti-theft system of a motor vehicle, comprising a communication system for near field communication and a storage device within a transmission and reception zone of the communication system. The mobile terminal is deposited in a control area in the interior compartment of the motor vehicle, the control area being located outside the transmission and reception zone. The deposited mobile terminal is connected to the communication system by a connecting device, which may, e.g., take the form of a cable, and a wired data communication connection is established. A control unit detects whether the data communication connection has been established with the mobile terminal by the connecting device and detects whether the mobile terminal is authorised to operate the anti-theft system, and depending on whether the authorisation has been detected, activates and/or deactivates a function of the anti-theft system.