Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a kind of structural carbohydrate with glucose as the basic skeleton produced in the process of microbial growth. It displays high purity, high degree of polymerization, high crystallinity, high water holding capacity, high tensile strength and good mechanical strength, showing great application potential in the field of functional materials. This paper reviewed the research status of BC synthetic strain screening in recent years; the progress of BC in air permeability, moisture absorption and perspiration, mechanical properties, dyeing and decolorization were analyzed; the research progress of BC based materials in functional modification such as antibacterial, anti ultraviolet, anti radiation, anti-static, water and oil repellent, conductivity and sensing was summarized. Finally, it was pointed out that BC large-scale and high-efficiency molding and molding technology, differentiated and high-function BC material preparation technology are the key research and development direction in the future.