The present disclosure relates to random access methods, apparatus, and devices. One example method includes adjusting a sweeping parameter of a receive beam when at least one target receive beam is determined based on prior information, and sweeping the receive beam based on the adjusted sweeping parameter. The prior information includes at least one of cell historical information or cell handover information. The sweeping parameter includes at least one of a sweeping frequency, a sweeping sequence, a beam direction, or a beam width. The receive beam includes the at least one target receive beam. The receive beam is used to receive a random access preamble sent by a terminal. After a base station receives, on the receive beam, the random access preamble sent by the terminal, the terminal randomly accesses the base station for data communication.