The invention provides a method and device for recovering air conditioner coolants. The method comprises the steps that when a command to recover the coolants is received, an
electronic expansion valve is opened; a target
recovery position of the coolants is determined, if target
recovery position is located at an outdoor unit, a liquid valve is closed, the air conditioner works in a
refrigeration mode, and when it is detected that the first temperature changing value of an
evaporator is larger than or equal to a first preset temperature changing value within a first preset period or the time during which the first pressure value in a suction pipeline of a compressor is smaller than a first preset pressure value is equal to the first preset period, an air valve is closed; if the target
recovery position is located at an indoor unit, the air valve is closed, the air conditioner works in a heating mode, and when it is detected that the second temperature changing value of a condenser in the outdoor unit is larger than or equal to a second preset temperature changing value or the time during which the second pressure value in the suction pipeline is smaller than the second preset pressure value is equal to the second preset period, the liquid valve is closed, and the air conditioner is controlled to stop working. By means of the scheme, emission of the coolants is reduced, and maintenance cost is lowered.