This application provides a wireless communication method and an apparatus. In the method, a terminal device receives first indication information from a network device. The first indication information indicates a first maximum multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layer quantity N to be used by the terminal device when the terminal device performs wireless communication, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The method further includes that the terminal device performs wireless communication with the network device based on the first maximum MIMO layer quantity N, so that the maximum MIMO layer quantity that the terminal device should use can be adjusted as required.