A system running method applied to an intelligent terminal is provided. The intelligent terminal includes a first system and a second system. The second system can implement a call function and/or a short message service function, and a function that can be implemented by the first system includes a function that can be implemented by the second system. The method includes: starting the first system and the second system, where an operation screen of the first system is visible to a user; detecting a running status of the first system; and when it is detected that the first system is faulty, terminating running of the first system, and switching to an operation screen of the second system disclosure.