A method for data transmission includes receiving, by a controller of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), target data from a transmitting terminal. The transmitting terminal includes a ground control apparatus or an onboard device of the UAV. The onboard device is connected with the UAV via a universal interface of the UAV. The universal interface is configured to connect onboard devices of various types. The method further includes forwarding the target data to a receiving terminal. The receiving terminal includes the ground control apparatus or the onboard device, and the receiving terminal is different from the transmitting terminal.