The present disclosure relates to techniques for a sensor network, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of things (IoT). This disclosure may be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cards, health care, digital education, retail business, security and safety related services, etc.), based on the above techniques. According to an embodiment, a method for selecting and controlling an external device at a portable electronic device including a touch screen includes displaying a selection area and spatial information including location information of at least one external device on the touch screen, receiving a first touch input in the selection area to select the location information, receiving a second touch input for controlling the at least one external device corresponding to the location information selected in response to the first touch input, and transmitting a control message corresponding to the second touch input.