A preamble sequence sending method and apparatus are provided. The method includes sending, by user equipment (UE), a first preamble sequence according to a first transmit power and using a repetition factor N1; if the UE fails to receive, in a preset time period after the first preamble sequence is sent, a response message that is sent by a network-side device and that is corresponding to the first preamble sequence, switching, by the UE, to a next repetition factor N2, where a quantity of consecutive sending times indicated by the next repetition factor N2 is greater than a quantity of consecutive sending times indicated by the repetition factor N1; and sending, by the UE, a second preamble sequence according to a second transmit power and using the next repetition factor N2.