An image forming apparatus includes (a) an openable and closable cover, (b) a fixing unit, and (c) a press-contact releasing member. The fixing unit has a first roller, a second roller that can be pressed in contact against the first roller, and a retaining member adapted to retain a state in which the press-contact of the second roller against the first roller has been released by the press-contact releasing member. The fixing unit is attachable/detachable to/from a body of the image forming apparatus. The fixing unit is adapted to fix a developer image, which is formed on a medium that is pinched between the first roller and the second roller being pressed in contact against the first roller via the medium, onto that medium in a state where the cover is closed. The press-contact releasing member is adapted to release the press-contact of the second roller against the first roller in conjunction with an opening movement of the cover.