A hardware detection method includes sending first verification data to a physical carrier, where the physical carrier carries a plurality of pieces of hardware; receiving a ciphertext and binding relationship information from the physical carrier, where the ciphertext is obtained after at least two of the pieces of hardware respectively encrypt the first verification data using respective keys, and where the binding relationship information indicates a binding relationship between the at least two pieces of hardware; verifying the ciphertext and the binding relationship information; and determining security of the at least two pieces of hardware based on a verification result.