An icon control method and terminal that include detecting first input of a user, moving a first icon towards a second icon in response to the detected first input, instructing to perform a first operation on the first icon and the second icon when a distance between the first icon and the second icon falls within a first distance range, and that in the first distance range, duration in which the first icon is in a staying state is greater than a first preset time length, and instructing to perform a second operation on the first icon and the second icon when the distance between the first icon and the second icon falls within a second distance range, and that the first icon is in the staying state in the second distance range.