A terminal control method based on a fingerprint recognition key, a terminal control device based on a fingerprint recognition key, and a terminal are provided. The method includes: detecting a touch operation on the fingerprint recognition key, acquiring a touch parameter of the touch operation; and controlling a running state of a terminal, in a case where the touch parameter meets a preset condition. With the method, the terminal is controlled by the fingerprint recognition key to switch its running state, such as a turned-on state, a turned-off state, a sleep state, an awake state, a locked state, thereby simplify an operation and improving a user experience. In this case, the power key is cancelled since the function of the power key is implemented by the fingerprint recognition key, thereby reducing the physical components and thus the fabrication cost of the terminal.