Embodiments of this application provide a multimedia broadcast multicast service configuration method, a terminal, and a network-side device. The multimedia broadcast multicast service configuration method applied to the terminal includes: performing a configuration operation according to an indication of a network side, where the configuration operation is related to reception of a target MBMS; or autonomously performing a configuration operation and sending first information to a network side, where the first information includes first indication information that is used to indicate that the terminal has performed the configuration operation.