A method, an apparatus, and a system for managing a background data transfer policy, such that a policy control function network element can obtain a background data transfer policy corresponding to a terminal. The method includes: A first policy control function network element receives a first message. The first message carries a first identifier, and the first identifier may be a background data transfer reference identifier or an application function identifier. Then, the first policy control function network element sends a second message to a first data storage network element, facilitating obtaining of a background data transfer policy. The second message carries the first identifier. Finally, the first policy control function network element receives a third message from the first data storage network element. The third message includes a first background data transfer policy corresponding to the first identifier.