Abstract: Due to red phosphorus (RP) narrow band gap, response to visible light, and its advantages of cheap and easy availability, it has received extensive attention in the field of photocatalysis in recent years. In this paper, the properties of RP and its allotrope, the photocatalytic mechanism of RP, the recent research progress of RP-based photocatalysts, RP and its heterostructures, and RP and its composite photocatalysts are reviewed. The future research of RP photocatalyst prospects as follows, the significance of the application of single-layer RP in photocatalysis is proposed, the new preparation method of RP is proposed, and the practical application prospect of RP in CO₂ conversion and wastewater treatment is proposed.