Embodiments of this application disclose a random access method. A base station determines that a detected first preamble value is a preamble value from a target terminal. The base station calculates a preamble offset and a time offset of the target terminal. The base station generates at least two random access response messages, where at least one of the at least two random access response messages includes a second preamble value and a second timing advance TA value, and at least one of the at least two random access response messages includes a third preamble value and a third TA value. The base station sends the at least two random access response messages to the target terminal.