A device and method for controlling rotation recognition units that detect the rotation of a rotating body in an electronic device are presented. The electronic device includes an outer housing, a rotary member disposed adjacent to, or at least in partial contact with the housing, a first sensor that detects rotation of the rotary member relative to the housing through a first physical change, a second sensor that detects rotation of the rotary member relative to the housing through a second physical change, a battery disposed in the housing, a processor electrically connected to the battery, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and a memory electrically connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to selectively control the operation of at least one of the first and second sensor based on at least one of the state of the electronic device and an application program that is being executed by the processor.