A path switching method and a related device, where the method includes receiving, by a base station, a first message from a first user equipment requesting to switch the first user equipment from a non-direct path for communicating with the base station using a second user equipment to a direct path communicating with the base station, and sending, by the base station, a second message to the first user equipment instructing the first user equipment to perform path switching. The second message includes at least one of a timing advance, a closed-loop power control value or an uplink grant configuration.