Electrically switched ion membrane(ESIM) separation is a novel ion selective separation and recovery technology developed in recent years. To date, the target ion species separated by using ESIM have involved various metal cations and anions. ESIM separation is originated from electrically switched ion exchange(ESIX) technology, whose highly efficient operation depends on the electroactive ion exchange material(EIXM) with unique ion exchange function. Reversible ion loading/unloading can be easily controlled by modulating the redox states of the EIXM with both electronic and ionic conductivity to perform the separation of target ions from mixed solution and regeneration of the matrix. Therefore, the secondary waste is eliminated due to that the chemical regeneration of the ion-exchange matrix is not necessary. This paper begins with a brief introduction of EIXM to the structure design and controllable preparation of membrane/film materials, then the research progress of various mechanisms of ESIX and the development and application of some novel ESIX-ESIM modules are outlined. The development course from intermittent operation of ESIX to electrically switched ion permselective membrane(ESIPM) based on the ESIX principle is summarized. It is necessary to emphasize the design and synthesis of novel structural ESIM materials and the development of the corresponding membrane modules focused on the selective separation of target ions, then finally the industrial application of ESIM could be realized.