An image forming apparatus includes an operation unit, a management unit, a communication unit, a restricting unit, and a control unit. The operation unit receives an input signal based on a user input. The management unit manages a plurality of modes of the image forming apparatus. The plurality of modes includes a first mode and a second mode. The second mode is for remote maintenance. The communication unit transmits connection request data to a maintenance apparatus. The restricting unit restricts communication with an external apparatus. Upon receipt of the input signal, the control unit controls the management unit to shift a current mode of the image forming apparatus from the first mode to the second mode, controls the communication unit to transmit the connection request data to the maintenance apparatus, and controls the restricting unit to restrict the communication with the external apparatus.