The present disclosure relates to controlling an application in a mobile terminal. The present disclosure includes an application control method and apparatus for a mobile terminal, earphone device, and application control system. The method for application control in a mobile terminal may include detecting connection of earphones having a sensor for sensing earphone wearing, sending, upon detection of earphone connection, an interrogation signal to the sensor of the earphones, receiving a response signal, corresponding to the interrogation signal, from the earphones, determining whether the earphones are worn by a user on the basis of the response signal, and controlling, when the earphones are not worn, an application being executed to stop output of an audio signal to the earphones.