A recording apparatus includes a recording unit which records image data to a recording medium or reproduces image data from the recording medium, and a control unit which enables a first control mode for controlling the recording unit in response to a request from an external device if the apparatus can communicate with the external device, and disables the first control mode and enables a second control mode for controlling the recording unit in response to a request from a user. If the first control mode is disabled and the second control mode is enabled, the control unit determines whether a state of the recording medium is changed. If the state of the recording medium is changed, the control unit controls the recording unit so as to read the recording medium.