A communication method is performed at an electronic device that includes a first network function (NF) entity. The first NF entity indirectly communicates with a second NF entity using a first service communication proxy (SCP) network element. In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the first SCP network element fails, the first NF entity detects a second SCP network and performs indirect communication with the second NF entity using the second SCP network element. In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the first SCP network element fails, the first NF entity directly communicates with the second NF entity. In this way, the first NF entity and the second NF entity can continue communication, thus ensuring the continuity and the reliability and availability of a communication system.