Nanoparticle-based therapeutic, preventive, and detection modalities have the potential to significantly impact disease diagnosis and management in clinical settings. The rational design of nanocarriers tailored to specific applications has become increasingly common, with cell membrane coating nanotechnology emerging as a promising platform. This review provides a comprehensive overview of this technology, highlighting its potential to enhance the performance and safety of existing nanocarriers. Cell membrane coating involves using natural cell membranes to coat the surface of nanoparticles, endowing them with enhanced biointerfacing capabilities. This top-down technique is straightforward, highly generalizable, and has the potential to improve the potency and safety of nanocarriers. The introduction of natural membranes onto nanoparticle surfaces has enabled additional applications beyond traditional nanomedicine, such as drug delivery, imaging, phototherapies, immunotherapies, and detoxification. The review covers the development of cell membrane coating technology, including the initial concept, characteristic analyses, and methods of coating. It also delves into the applications of RBC membrane-coated nanoparticles, particularly in drug delivery, imaging, and photoactivatable therapy. The unique properties of RBC membranes, such as long circulation times and disease-relevant targeting, are highlighted. Additionally, the review discusses the use of RBC membrane-coated nanoparticles for detoxification and their potential in treating bacterial infections. Overall, while the field of cell membrane coating nanotechnology is relatively young, it has already demonstrated significant promise and potential for future advancements. The review concludes with a discussion on potential future directions, emphasizing the ongoing refinement of existing workflows and the exploration of new applications.Nanoparticle-based therapeutic, preventive, and detection modalities have the potential to significantly impact disease diagnosis and management in clinical settings. The rational design of nanocarriers tailored to specific applications has become increasingly common, with cell membrane coating nanotechnology emerging as a promising platform. This review provides a comprehensive overview of this technology, highlighting its potential to enhance the performance and safety of existing nanocarriers. Cell membrane coating involves using natural cell membranes to coat the surface of nanoparticles, endowing them with enhanced biointerfacing capabilities. This top-down technique is straightforward, highly generalizable, and has the potential to improve the potency and safety of nanocarriers. The introduction of natural membranes onto nanoparticle surfaces has enabled additional applications beyond traditional nanomedicine, such as drug delivery, imaging, phototherapies, immunotherapies, and detoxification. The review covers the development of cell membrane coating technology, including the initial concept, characteristic analyses, and methods of coating. It also delves into the applications of RBC membrane-coated nanoparticles, particularly in drug delivery, imaging, and photoactivatable therapy. The unique properties of RBC membranes, such as long circulation times and disease-relevant targeting, are highlighted. Additionally, the review discusses the use of RBC membrane-coated nanoparticles for detoxification and their potential in treating bacterial infections. Overall, while the field of cell membrane coating nanotechnology is relatively young, it has already demonstrated significant promise and potential for future advancements. The review concludes with a discussion on potential future directions, emphasizing the ongoing refinement of existing workflows and the exploration of new applications.