A method for downloading a profile of an operator includes sending, by a terminal to a subscription manager-data preparer (SMDP) using a subscription manager-secure router (SM-SR), a request for downloading a profile of an operator, where the download request carries the download certificate, an identifier (ID) of an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) of the terminal, and addressing information of the SM-DP; and receiving, by the terminal, the profile of the operator that is sent by the SM-DP using the SM-SR and that corresponds to the download request, and transmitting the profile of the operator to the eUICC, where the profile of the operator is obtained by the SM-DP according to an identity of the profile of the operator after the SM-DP verifies that the certificate that is for downloading the profile of the operator and is carried in the download request is valid.