The present invention relates to a method of operating a user interface (UI) based on a motion sensor and a mobile terminal using the same. The method of operating a UI of a mobile terminal including a touch sensor and a motion sensor includes identifying an input of a mode conversion key, activating the motion sensor, and converting a UI mode to a motion mode. The mobile terminal having a touch sensor and motion sensor may include a display unit and a controller. The display unit may display an application execution screen. The controller may activate the motion sensor if mode conversion is requested in an activated state of the touch sensor, and may activate the touch sensor if mode conversion is requested in an activated state of the motion sensor.