In a method for configuring a policy for user equipment (UE), a PCF network element receives policy information of the UE from a first network element. The policy information of the UE indicates a current policy of the UE. The PCF network element sends configuration information to the UE based on the policy information of the UE, and the configuration information instructs the UE to update the policy of the UE. The policy control function network apparatus then sends to the first network apparatus update information that comprises either the configuration information or an identifier of the configuration information.