Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for controlling multiple touch panels and an electronic device. The method includes: acquiring a first touch event by using a first touch panel, where the first touch event is input information that is triggered by a touch gesture on the first touch panel and is incompatible with an interface of third-party application software; when the electronic device detects that currently displayed application software is third-party application software, acquiring a first instruction corresponding to the first touch event, where the third-party application software is application software that is installed in the electronic device and is developed by a third party and not by a manufacturer of the electronic device; and running the third-party application software according to the first instruction. Embodiments of the present invention improve operation control efficiency of the touch panels of an electronic device.