An image forming apparatus communicates with another device and includes a processor that controls the communication. A control unit controls the apparatus to operate in one of at least a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state. In the first power saving state, the apparatus is controlled so that an image forming unit, an image reading unit, and the control unit are not activated, and a communication device is activated. In the second power saving state, the apparatus is controlled so that at least one of the image forming unit and the image reading unit are not activated, and the communication device and the control unit are activated. In the normal state, the apparatus is controlled so that at least the image forming unit, the image reading unit, the communication device, and the control unit are activated.