A method for detecting ambient light by a terminal is provided. The method includes displaying a black picture for at least two times in a first area of a display area of a display screen of a terminal, displaying an image frame picture in a second area of the display area when the black picture is displayed in the first area, displaying the image frame picture in the first area in an interval between displaying the black picture in the first area for two times, and obtaining, by the terminal, an intensity of ambient light, wherein the intensity of the ambient light is detected by a first ambient light sensor when the first area displays the black.