<p>Heavy metal pollution is a critical environmental issue that has gained increasing attention from researchers. To date, various methods have been explored to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metal pollution on the environment. Notably, microbial-induced phosphate precipitation (MIPP) has been a rapidly developing and effective method in recent years. Due to its low cost, low energy consumption, and absence of secondary pollution, MIPP has been widely applied to stabilize heavy metals in wastewater, soil, and other environments, and many reported studies have revealed its mechanism. This review summarizes recent advancements in MIPP for heavy metal immobilization. It covers the discovery and screening of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and the mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization through organic and inorganic phosphorus pathways. Furthermore, the review discusses the recent advancements in MIPP technology in water and soil remediation, as well as its impact on physicochemical properties and microbial diversity in microenvironments. Finally, we highlight existing challenges and propose future research directions and potential applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>