The invention discloses an apple picking machine and a method for operating the same. The apple picking machine comprises a framework, a shearing mechanism, an adjusting mechanism, a collecting channel, an accommodating mechanism and an apple box. The adjusting mechanism comprises a support column, a rotary column and a crank-slider mechanism; the bottom of the support column sleeves a base, and the top of the support column is hinged to an end of the rotary column; the crank-slider mechanism comprises a slider and a connecting rod, the slider sleeves the rotary column, one end of the connecting rod is hinged to the rotary column, and the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to the support column; the shearing mechanism is arranged on the top of the rotary column. The apple picking machine and the method have the advantages that the height of shears can be conveniently controlled via the crank-slider mechanism, and the apple picking machine can be controlled via motors and is simple in operation and low in labor intensity; an electromagnet is arranged at the tail of a handle of the shears, so that the apple picking machine can be conveniently manually operated, and the labor intensity can be reduced; the apple picking machine is provided with the collecting channel, so that apples can be conveniently collected while bruise due to an accommodating machine can be effectively prevented; the apples can be automatically placed by the accommodating mechanism which is matched with the apple box, and accordingly the labor time can be saved.