An address obtaining method includes obtaining, by a third network device, an identifier of a first application from a terminal device. The identifier of the first application indicates a request for obtaining an address of an instance of the first application. The address obtaining method further includes sending, by the third network device, a first message to a first network device, wherein the first message comprises the identifier of the first application, and the first message is useable to request the address of the instance of the first application. The address obtaining method further includes receiving, by the third network device, the address of the instance of the first application from the first network device, and sending the address of the instance of the first application to the terminal device.