The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving a visible light signal. The method includes the following steps: controlling use of a camera as a light signal receiver to capture a group of continuous images covering an emitter, where the emitter emits visible light signals; and obtaining, from the group of continuous images, a visible light signal that comes from the emitter. In the disclosure, because a camera is used to receive a visible light signal, a visible light communication function can be implemented in various devices or systems under a premise that no hardware is newly added or modified.