<p>In this review, for the first time, cold working methods established in engineering practice, as well as new methods that increase the fatigue life of metal components with fastener holes, were described systematically using a differential-morphological technique, and a generalized hierarchical classification scheme was proposed. The classification scheme was based on the following main approaches for increasing fatigue life: (1) surface hole cold working, (2) introducing beneficial compressive hoop residual stresses at depth, and (3) introducing beneficial compressive hoop residual stresses at depth and improving surface integrity. The schemes of the different groups of methods were visualized, and the methods were analyzed in terms of their functional capabilities and implementation. Finally, perspectives were outlined both for the synthesis of new methods and for the study of existing methods. The new dynamic and combined methods developed to date provide useful scientific information, and they achieve clear benefits in terms of improving the fatigue behavior of treated components. However, the implementation of these methods requires significantly more time, labor, and funds than conventional methods, i.e., at this stage, the cost/quality ratios of these methods are unfavorable.</p>