An apparatus and method select a Device (D2D) communication mode according to whether there is signal interference. A method of operating a Transmitting (Tx) terminal, linked to a Receiving (Rx) terminal, for performing D2D communication includes confirming that the terminal is included in at least any one of groups in which links are grouped according to a link priority, receiving a result of determining whether there is a signal interference caused by at least three in-group links from the Rx terminal, and selecting a communication mode for communicating with the Rx terminal according to whether the signal interference exists.