Methods and devices for using an unlicensed carrier resource are provided. In a method for using an unlicensed carrier resource, an eNode B (eNB) receives indication information reported by a User Equipment (UE), where the indication information is used for indicating that a local Secondary Cell (Scell) of the UE is idle; upon a trigger of the indication information, the eNB detects whether a local Scell of the eNB is idle or not; and the eNB judges, according to a detection result, whether or not to use an unlicensed carrier resource which has been occupied by the UE.