<p>Metal-containing cross-linked polymer networks emerge as promising self-healing materials due to their unique properties, structure, composition and surface chemistry. As a representative class of chemicals, mussel-inspired polymeric materials containing Fe(III)-catechol coordination bond usually display exceptional mechanical and self-healing properties, widely using in the construction of novel soft materials such as smart devices and biomedicines. In this review, latest breakthroughs in the synthesis techniques and application of Fe(III)-catechol-based self-healing polymers, accompanied with the mechanism of cross-linking and self-healing ability, are summarized. Primary challenges and perspectives in this research frontier are then highlighted. This review intends to provide an understanding and guidance on engineering the next generation of high-performance mussel-inspired self-healing polymeric materials with practical applications.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>