Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for controlling an optical sensor in an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a light emission element configured to emit light; a first light reception element configured to detect an intensity of light which is reflected from an object based on the light emitted by the light emission element; a second light reception element configured to detect a shape of the object using the light which is reflected from the object based on the light emitted by the light emission element; and a processor. The processor is configured to: control the light emission element to emit light with an intensity corresponding to an operation mode of the electronic device; and receive light which is reflected from the object via the first light reception element or the second light reception element based on the operation mode of the electronic device. Other embodiments are possible.