A method for determining a pointing direction includes a first posture parameter of a remote control device being obtained, where the first posture parameter indicates a first posture change trend of the remote control device relative to a controlled device in a first time period; a second posture parameter of the remote control device being obtained, where the second posture parameter indicates a second posture change trend of the remote control device in the first time period relative to a first moment, and the first moment is earlier than the first time period; and when the first posture change trend is the same as or similar to the second posture change trend, it is determined that the remote control device is pointing to the controlled device.