A device identification method includes a first electronic device that receives a first operation, displays a first interface, and starts a camera, where the first interface includes a preview image captured by the camera, and a second electronic device is included in the preview image; the first electronic device determines a second operation is related to the second electronic device in the preview image according to an image recognition technology and a wireless positioning technology; and the first electronic device outputs a second interface when the first electronic device detects the second operation by a user, where the second interface includes one or more controls for controlling the second electronic device such that the second electronic device is presented in real time in an augmented reality display manner.