<p>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are highly efficient devices for secondary energy and conversion. Prelithiation is emerging as a promising strategy for developing next-generation high-performance LIBs, with rapid advancements achieved through various innovative methods. This review summarizes prelithiation strategies from a new original perspective, which is based on the utilization of lithium metal, lithium-containing compounds, and introduced prelithiation methods without any additional lithium sources firstly. Furthermore, the industrialization progress of various prelithiation methods is presented. Based on key industrialization criteria, the merits and limitations of various prelithiation strategies have been comprehensively assessed, along with a discussion of their future challenges and perspectives facing its industrialization. Key internal mechanisms of prelithiation are described, including electron pathway density in contact prelithiation and the intrinsic influence of electrode damage in mechanical prelithiation. Additionally, evaluation methods and theoretical models for prelithiation are presented. The comprehensive effects of prelithiation on electrochemical performances are analyzed, offering valuable insights into its benefits and limitations. Finally, the extended applications of prelithiation, including its potential in battery recycling processes, solutions to critical challenges in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) and lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries, and its inspired adaptations for sodium-ion (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), are systematically highlighted in this review.</p><p>.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>