According to one embodiment, a communication apparatus comprises a close proximity wireless transfer device, a closeness detection module and a device control module. The close proximity wireless transfer device executes a close proximity wireless transfer. The closeness detection module detects that the close proximity wireless transfer device and an external device are in a close proximity state. Power which the closeness detection module consumes is lower than power which the close proximity wireless transfer device consumes in an idle state. The device control module is configured to activate the close proximity wireless transfer device when the closeness detection module detects the close proximity state.