This application provides a wireless communication method and an apparatus. The method includes: A terminal device receives first indication information from a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first maximum multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layer quantity N used by the terminal device when the terminal device performs wireless communication, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and the terminal device performs wireless communication with the network device based on the first maximum MIMO layer quantity N, so that the maximum MIMO layer quantity that needs to be used by the terminal device can be switched as required.