Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for controlling a play mode, and a mobile terminal. The method includes: detecting whether a mobile terminal is in a preset status according to an operation of a user on the mobile terminal; if the mobile terminal is in the preset status, acquiring a distance between the user and the mobile terminal; and if the distance between the user and the mobile terminal is smaller than a preset threshold, controlling the mobile terminal to enter an earphone play mode. Trough the present invention, the play mode of the mobile terminal can be effectively and accurately controlled, thereby avoiding unnecessary operations and improving the intelligence of the mobile terminal.