Abstract: As a representative high-strength aluminum alloy, the 7xxx series aluminum alloy has been widely used in aerospace and transportation fields for its high strength, good toughness and corrosion resistance and other excellent properties. This kind of heat treatable aluminum alloy is sensitive to microstructure, and its properties are affected by the nucleation, growth and distribution of precipitates in the alloy. Its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance could be well combined by using the three-stage aging process-retrogression and reaging treatment-to change the precipitate state through the effective combination of preaging, retrogression and reaging. At present, many studies of its application on the 7xxx series aluminum alloy have been conducted, and some progress has been made. In this paper, the method of retrogression and reaging treatment was first introduced, and its effect on the microstructure and properties of 7xxx series aluminum alloy was then overviewed. Finally, the research status in this field was summarized.