Disclosed are a radio link monitoring method and a UE. The radio link monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a user equipment (UE) monitors downlink link quality of a serving cell by using an extended link monitoring period on a physical layer, the extended link monitoring period being longer than an original link monitoring period; and the UE sends a synchronization indication message or an out-of-synchronization indication message to an upper layer of the UE when a monitoring result meets a preset reporting condition. The method in the embodiment of the present invention can reduce power consumption and reduce device cost.
