An image forming apparatus includes circuitry. The circuitry performs an authentication process in response to a request from a first information terminal of a first administrator to log in to the apparatus. The circuitry receives designation of a device management operation from the first information terminal when the first administrator logs in. The circuitry transmits a request to log in, to second information terminals of one or more second administrators, in response to the designation. The circuitry receives the operation when at least one second administrator logs in. The circuitry transmits a request to permit execution of the operation to the second information terminal of the second administrator who has logged in, in response to the operation. The circuitry executes a process corresponding to the device management operation when at least one second administrator permits the execution of the device management operation and no second administrator rejects the execution.