An apparatus and a method for a peripheral device control in a portable terminal are provided. In the method for the peripheral device control in the portable terminal, the method includes selectively changing a communication path between a communication modem and a storage to a communication path between a controller and the storage by controlling a switch when the communication modem is turned off, determining information necessary for the peripheral device control through the communication path between the controller and the storage and controlling the peripheral device when the information satisfies a control condition.