A method used by a terminal to detect an earphone status and a terminal are disclosed. The method includes: disabling, by a processor, a path for outputting an audio signal to a second earphone; detecting electrical signals of a first audio output end and a third audio output end of a first earphone; and determining a frequency value of a low-frequency resonant point of the first earphone according to the electrical signals of the first audio output end and the third audio output end, and determining, according to the frequency value of the low-frequency resonant point, whether the first earphone is in an in-position state. In this way, only the electrical signals of the first audio output end and the third audio output end need to be detected, and it may be determined, according to changes of the electrical signals.