An image forming apparatus includes: a developing cartridge having a developer carrier; a frame detachably supporting the developing cartridge; a protective cover being detachable from the developing cartridge and capable of covering and protecting the developer carrier when the protective cover is attached to the developing cartridge; a retaining portion that retains the protective cover removed from the developing cartridge; and a display unit that outputs a message notifying a user to retain the protective cover on the retaining portion when the protective cover is not retained by the retaining portion.