The technology of this application relates to a memory management method and apparatus. When garbage collection is performed by using the method, stored information about a first reference cycle is first obtained, where the first reference cycle is a cyclic reference formed by a plurality of objects, and the information about the first reference cycle includes the plurality of objects in the first reference cycle and a reference relationship between the plurality of objects. The method further includes determining that a second reference cycle exists, where information about the second reference cycle matches the information about the first reference cycle, and the information about the second reference cycle includes a plurality of objects in the second reference cycle and a reference relationship between the plurality of objects. The method further includes reclaiming memory occupied by the plurality of objects in the second reference cycle.