A method is provided for adjusting a storage space of a partition of an embedded multimedia card and a terminal. The method includes: determining a current external SD card mode of a terminal, where the external SD card mode includes an external SD card installed mode or an external SD card uninstalled mode; receiving instruction information, where the instruction information is used for instructing the terminal to switch from the external SD card uninstalled mode to the external SD card installed mode, or used for instructing the terminal to switch from the external SD card installed mode to the external SD card uninstalled mode; and adjusting a size of a storage space of a partition of an embedded multimedia card according to the instruction information.