The invention provides a device control method and apparatus. The method comprises the following steps: when a target event of an intelligent device is triggered, detecting whether a preset user is in a preset area; if the preset user is in the preset area, detecting whether the intelligent device is in an open state; if the intelligent device is in the open state, reminding the target event on the intelligent device; if the intelligent device is not in the open state, generating a first push message containing the target event, and sending the first push message to a first preset terminal; and if the preset user is not in the preset area, generating a second push message containing the target event, and sending the second push message to a second preset terminal. By adopting the method, the situation that the target event cannot be reminded when the user is not in the preset area can be avoided, so the reminding of the target event is more timely, accurate and effective, and the intelligence degree of the intelligent device for reminding the target event is greatly improved.