A method and device for managing an application program are provided. The method includes: obtaining, by a first edge computing platform, an application program component of the first edge computing platform and an application program component of a second edge computing platform, where the application program component of the first edge computing platform and the application program component of the second edge computing platform are application program components in a global application program; and sending the application program component of the second edge computing platform to the second edge computing platform. The second edge computing platform installs the application program component of the second edge computing platform, thereby implementing a deployment of application programs between all levels of edge computing platforms.