A communication path switching method includes: sending, by first user equipment, a first message to a first network device, where the first message is used to request to switch a communication path of the first user equipment from a direct path to an indirect path; receiving, by the first user equipment, a second message sent by the first network device, where the second message carries at least one of first bearer configuration information and first indication information that is used to instruct the first user equipment to perform the communication path switching; and performing, by the first user equipment, the communication path switching based on the first indication information.