A mobile terminal having a face recognition function and a control method thereof are provided. A mobile terminal includes a display unit, a memory, a photographing unit and a controller. The memory stores first photographing distance information mapped to a plurality of coordinates in a previously obtained first face image, as reference information for releasing a lock mode in which a touch input applied to the display unit is restricted. The photographing unit obtains a second face image by photographing a subject, when a face recognition function is performed in the lock mode. The controller computes second photographing distance information mapped to the plurality of coordinates in the second face image, and releases the lock mode, based on a result obtained by comparing the first photographing distance information and the second photographing distance information.