In a network function (NF) management method, a NF management device receives an NF discovery request sent by a first NF component, where the NF discovery request includes a second NF identifier that indicates a second NF. The NF management device obtains component information of a second NF component based on the second NF identifier, where the second NF component has the second NF, and the component information includes a discovery policy of the second NF component and a second NF component identifier. The NF management device determines, based on the discovery policy in the component information, that the first NF component can access the second NF component, and sends the second NF component identifier to the first NF component.