Embodiments disclose a cell status changing method. The method includes receiving, by user equipment, a first indication sent by a master base station, where the first indication is used to indicate a status change of a first cell of the master base station or a status change of a second cell of a secondary base station; and performing activation on the first cell or the second cell according to the first indication, or performing deactivation on the first cell or the second cell according to the first indication. In embodiments, both the master base station and the secondary base station serve the UE and undergo carrier aggregation, and the UE may obtain, by using the received first indication sent by the master base station, an active state or an inactive state of a serving cell that belongs to a base station that serves the UE.