A method, an apparatus, and a system for establishing a data connection are disclosed that relate to the field of communications network technologies, and can implement automatic determination of a transmission function by an electronic device and reduce operation steps of enabling a transmission function by a user. A receiver device obtains connection information sent by a transmitter device, and enables a target transmission function according to transmission function priorities obtained in advance, transmission functions of the transmitter device, and transmission functions of the receiver device; and then the receiver device sends an authentication message to the transmitter device through the target transmission function, and establishes a connection of the target transmission function with the transmitter device. Solutions provided are applicable to data transmission.