Embodiments of the present invention relate to telecommunications technologies. A sensor is disposed on at least one of the electronic device or the external audio device. The method includes receiving, by the electronic device, a detection result signal sent by the sensor, where the detection result signal is a signal that carries a detection value obtained by means of detection by the sensor and determining, by the electronic device according to a preset correspondence and the detection value, an action performed by a user on the electronic device or the external audio device. The method also includes controlling, by the electronic device, an execution status of an audio and video application program according to the action.