Example coverage mode identification methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes determining a first coverage mode by a terminal. The terminal determines a preamble sequence based on the first coverage mode, and sends the preamble sequence to a base station, where the preamble sequence is used to determine the first coverage mode. Because the base station can determine the coverage mode of the terminal by using only the preamble sequence sent by the terminal, without using a channel used to receive a signal of the terminal, resources do not need to be grouped or planned, and there is no need to strictly distinguish between different coverage mode sets or groups.