The ink jet recording apparatus comprises an ink end detector for detecting when ink in each of the cartridges mounted on the carriage is exhausted, and a cover detector for detecting whether the cover member attached to the casing body of the apparatus is open. And when the ink end detector detects that the ink has been exhausted and the cover detector detects that the cover member is open, a carriage driver is driven and moves the carriage and positioned it at an opening formed in the casing body for the exchange of ink cartridges. Therefore, the operability for the exchange of ink cartridges when the ink has been exhausted can be improved.