High-speed boundary layer laminar-turbulent transition has a dramatic effect on heat transfer, skin friction and flow separation. It is a critical issue for high-speed air-breathing cruise vehicles. The research of high-speed boundary layer artificial transition is reviewed. Firstly, the high-speed boundary layer transition mechanism is presented from the perspective of receptivity. Then the high-speed boundary layer artificial transition devices appeared in recent years is summarized. The passive transition devices include: “diamond” boundary layer strip configuration, “ramp” boundary layer strip configuration, two-dimensional wavy walls roughness, a row of spheres configuration, equally spaced wires, and Tollmien-Schlichting wave boundary layer transition strip etc. The active transition devices include: vortex generator sonic jets boundary layer strip, plasma-based boundary layer actuator, local wall cooling strip, and steady blowing and suction strips etc. Finally, the challenges that still exist in the study of boundary layer transition mechanisms and artificial transition applications for high-speed aircraft are summarized, and future research directions for high-speed boundary layer transition are prospected.