A method for receiving system information that is applied to a terminal includes: sending a system information request message to a first access network device, the system information request message carrying an identification of a neighbor cell and an identification of a system information block (SIB) X, where X is an integer greater than 1; and receiving other system information (Other SI) broadcasted by a second access network device. The Other SI carries the SIB X. The first access network device is an access network device for a cell where the terminal currently dwells, and the second access network device is an access network device for the neighbor cell.