According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a display which displays an operation screen; a communicator which transmits and receives data or a signal to and from a terminal device; and a controller which transmits, in accordance with execution by the communicator of transmitting data on the operation screen to the terminal device, and receiving an operation event signal generated by the terminal device, an activation signal which activates an input function to the terminal device when the operation event signal indicates an operation related to an input field.