This review discusses the potential of graphene oxide (GO) membranes for water desalination and purification, highlighting their tunable ionic and molecular sieving capabilities, thin structure, and customizable microstructure. Despite the promising nature of GO membranes, commercial applicability is hindered by issues such as uneven stacking, crossflow delamination, flawed pores, pH effects, and horizontal defects. The review outlines recent advancements in GO-based membrane technology, focusing on separation mechanisms, selectivity, adjustable mechanical properties, and applications. It also examines how process variables like temperature, total oxygen concentration, and functional groups affect membrane performance. The review delves into the challenges and solutions for improving GO membranes, including the use of intercalation techniques and nanomaterials to enhance separation efficiency. Additionally, it explores the role of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes, which have modified structures with fewer oxygen functional groups, and the impact of these modifications on water desalination performance. The review concludes by discussing the importance of controlling synthesis parameters to optimize GO membrane properties for efficient water treatment applications.This review discusses the potential of graphene oxide (GO) membranes for water desalination and purification, highlighting their tunable ionic and molecular sieving capabilities, thin structure, and customizable microstructure. Despite the promising nature of GO membranes, commercial applicability is hindered by issues such as uneven stacking, crossflow delamination, flawed pores, pH effects, and horizontal defects. The review outlines recent advancements in GO-based membrane technology, focusing on separation mechanisms, selectivity, adjustable mechanical properties, and applications. It also examines how process variables like temperature, total oxygen concentration, and functional groups affect membrane performance. The review delves into the challenges and solutions for improving GO membranes, including the use of intercalation techniques and nanomaterials to enhance separation efficiency. Additionally, it explores the role of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes, which have modified structures with fewer oxygen functional groups, and the impact of these modifications on water desalination performance. The review concludes by discussing the importance of controlling synthesis parameters to optimize GO membrane properties for efficient water treatment applications.