A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes receiving operational status information of an external device, via a wireless communication unit of the mobile terminal, from the external device in response to the mobile terminal being located within a predetermined distance range from the external device; displaying an icon on a display of the mobile terminal representing a type of the external device; and displaying the operational status information of the external device and recommended user notification information for performing a recommended operation on the external device in response to a selection of the displayed icon.