An apparatus and method combine an augmented reality scheme with an AP search function and visually provide positions of searched APs as well as names of the searched APs and strength of signals received from the searched APs. The apparatus includes a communication unit for receiving signals of APs around the portable terminal, an input unit for receiving input for searching the APs, a camera unit for photographing environments around the portable terminal when searching the APs, a display unit for outputting an image photographed by the camera unit on a preview picture, an AP attribute ascertaining unit for ascertaining attributes of the APs which exist around the portable terminal and ascertaining positions of the APs, and a controller for outputting the APs on the preview picture to correspond to the positions of the ascertained APs.