A server receives a search request that includes a first location and an identifier of a Bluetooth device and that is sent by a first terminal; within a first time period, determines at least one second terminal by using a first frequency and a first density in a first search range, and sends a search task that carries the identifier to the at least one second terminal; if the server does not receive, within the first time period, a message that is fed back by any one of the at least one second terminal and that indicates that the Bluetooth device is found, within a second time period after the first time period, determines at least one third terminal by using a second frequency and a second density in a second search range, and sends the search task that carries the identifier to the at least one third terminal.