Example status prompt multimedia playing methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes receiving a first multimedia request by a status prompt application server, where the first multimedia request includes a non-idle identifier and is sent by a TAS. The status prompt application server sends a first multimedia response including a status prompt multimedia session description protocol (SDP) to the TAS, and receives a first multimedia acknowledgement message that includes a calling-side multimedia SDP and that is sent by the TAS. In this way, the status prompt application server obtains the calling-side multimedia SDP, and implements negotiation and acknowledgement of multimedia capability sets between the status prompt application server and a calling terminal device. The status prompt application server can play corresponding status prompt multimedia for the calling terminal device based on different non-idle identifiers. This implements playing of personalized status prompt multimedia in a non-idle state scenario.