An image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit having a memory configured to store information. The image forming apparatus further includes a first acquiring unit, a second acquiring unit, and a control unit. The first acquiring unit acquires first information on a used amount of the memory. The second acquiring unit acquires second information on a used amount of the detachable unit. The control unit controls an interval between accesses to the memory based on the first information on the used amount of the memory and the second information on the used amount of the detachable unit.