A communication method and apparatus are provided, to provide a relay service for an AIOT terminal by using a relay apparatus. According to the method, the relay apparatus sends first information to a core network apparatus, where the first information is used to request to provide the relay service for the AIOT terminal, and/or indicates that the relay apparatus supports providing the relay service for the AIOT terminal. An access network apparatus may receive third information from the core network apparatus, to indicate that the relay apparatus provides the relay service for the AIOT terminal. The relay apparatus may further receive configuration information of the relay service from the access network apparatus. According to the method, the relay apparatus may obtain, from the access network apparatus, the configuration information required for providing the relay service for the AIOT terminal.