The invention relates to the field of communication, and discloses a system function updating method and system, a terminal device and a server. In the method, when the terminal device sends an application program function updating request to the server, the request carries a software version number of the terminal device; the server detects whether the version number in the function updating request is consistent with a local version number or not, if not, whether a system function item of a local storage of the server is consistent with a system function item of the server or not is judged, if not, response information indicating existence of new functions is returned, and the terminal device loads the system function item to be updated and updates the version number corresponding to the system function item to be updated. The invention further provides the own system function updating system, by means of the system, a user can use the new system function without downloading software of a new version for system upgrading, after opening the software, the user can use the new system function just by updating the new system function item, and therefore user experience is effectively improved.