A method includes: obtaining an azimuth and a signal parameter value of each preset satellite of M preset satellites when a mobile terminal is at a first location. The M preset satellites are sorted according to the values of their azimuths and N satellite combinations are obtained from those satellites that are consecutively arranged and have signal parameter values less than preset values. In response to determining that a ratio of the quantity of the preset satellites in the first satellite combination to M is less than a first threshold, the positioning mode of the mobile terminal is set to an outdoor positioning mode. In response to determining that a ratio of the quantity of the preset satellites in the first satellite combination to M is greater than a second threshold, the positioning mode is set to an indoor positioning mode.