A method of controlling a smart key, including a low frequency (LF) receiver receiving an LF signal from a vehicle, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter transmitting an RF signal to the vehicle in response to the LF signal, a sensor unit sensing a motion, and a micro control unit controlling operations of the LF receiver, the RF transmitter, and the sensor unit, includes receiving, by the LF receiver, the LF signal from the vehicle and controlling, by the micro control unit, a turn-on/off operation of each of the LF receiver, the RF transmitter, and the sensor unit on the basis of the received LF signal.