The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for data interaction, and the method includes: obtaining required times of data interaction between valid applications in a background application mode and a network; selecting a minimum required time from the current required times as a target required time of data interaction, and starting timing; when the target required time expires, obtaining each valid application whose current required time of data interaction is between two consecutive target required times, and determining the valid application as a target application; and activating a packet data protocol PDP, establishing a data link between the target application and the network, and performing data interaction, and then restarting timing.