Primary liver cancer (hereinafter referred to as liver cancer) is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of China. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 75% to 85% of liver cancers, more than half of patients with HCC present at an advanced stage where surgery is not suitable. Conversion therapy can provide the opportunity for some unresectable patients to realize surgical resection. With the progress of non-surgical treatments for liver cancer, increased emphasis on comprehensive treatment approaches, and continuous clinical research outcome, conversion therapy of liver cancer has become a common clinical pathway in treatment practice in our country. This paper summarizes the progress in research on conversion therapy for HCC, analyzing its methods, efficacy, safety, and timing of surgery, to provide insights for the clinical practice and research of conversion treatment in HCC.