The invention discloses a function-configurable carrying mechanical arm based on an intelligent air cylinder and a carrying method. The function-configurable carrying mechanical arm comprises an upper computer, the first linear intelligent air cylinder, the second linear intelligent air cylinder and the pressure controlled intelligent air cylinder. Each linear intelligent air cylinder comprises a magnetic air cylinder body with a piston, solenoid valves, magnetic sensors and a control module. The pressure controlled intelligent air cylinder comprises a vacuum generator, a vacuum suction cup, a pressure sensor, solenoid valves and the control module. The control module comprises a control unit, a serial port, a signal collecting unit, a wireless communication unit, a driving unit and a relay. According to the carrying method, the motion timing sequence of the carrying mechanical arm is shown through an input and output relation and a state table, the mechanical arm seeks and outputs a corresponding output state according to acquired information of an input state, then motion of the magnetic air cylinder bodies is controlled, and therefore the carrying function of the mechanical arm is achieved. The function of the designed carrying mechanical arm can be flexibly configured, and the carrying mechanical arm can be applied to different occasions.