<p>Bacterial infection presents formidable challenges that frequently culminate in the malfunction of metal implants. Traditional surface treatment methods struggle to effectively achieve controllable management of bacterial infections associated with metal implants. To effectively enhance the antibacterial capabilities and preventing bacterial adhesion, electroactive materials have emerged as a groundbreaking strategy for surface modification of metal. By responding to external signals, the electroactive materials can improve antibacterial properties and resistance to bacterial adhesion on the implant surface through harnessing the electrostatic interaction of charges, ion release, oxidation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), electron transfer, and the involvement of cellular immunity. This review delves into the principles of how electroactive materials confer implants with antibacterial properties and antibacterial adhesion, while also summarizing the latest research breakthroughs in their application for surface modification. These strategies successfully strike a balance between the antibacterial and the antimicrobial performance of the implant surface. Lastly, the review examines the limitations and ongoing challenges faced by electroactive material modification technology in implant applications, and sketches out the future trajectory and potential innovative avenues in this promising field.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>