Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a function for formation of an image and includes a first storage unit in which data is stored; an operation input receiving unit that receives an operation input from a user; a storage control unit that stores data in the first storage unit or an external storage device when the operation input receiving unit receives an operation input for storing the data, the external storage device being communicated with the image forming apparatus through a network; and a determining unit that performs, based on a predetermined condition, either a process of determining a storage destination of first data to be the external storage device or a process of determining a storage destination of second data to be the first storage unit, the first data being data stored in the first storage unit, the second data being data stored in the external storage device.