The present disclosure relates to communication methods and apparatuses. In one example method, a first access network device determines configuration information, and sends the configuration information to a terminal. The first access network device is connected to a first core network device, and the first core network device uses a first or second communication standard. The configuration information includes status indication information of a first protocol layer (for example, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer) of the second communication standard, and the status indication information indicates the terminal to perform or not to perform a function of the first protocol layer. The first access network device determines a state of the first protocol layer based on a protocol layer specified in a communication standard of the core network device.