In recent years, topological insulators have aroused the attention of a great number of scientists due to their unique electronic structures and peculiar physical properties. Triggered by the similar electronic structures as graphene, the broadband nonlinear absorption properties of topological insulators were investigated. Moreover, the mode-locked or Q-switched fiber lasers based on topological insulators were realized for broadband operating wavelength. Here, we present an overview of the preparation, transferring, linear and nonlinear optical properties, and their applications of topological insulators in pulsed fiber lasers. The pulsed fiber lasers towards midinfrared regimes have been proposed. In recent years, topological insulators have aroused the attention of a great number of scientists due to their unique electronic structures and peculiar physical properties. Triggered by the similar electronic structures as graphene, the broadband nonlinear absorption properties of topological insulators were investigated. Moreover, the mode-locked or Q-switched fiber lasers based on topological insulators were realized for broadband operating wavelength. Here, we present an overview of the preparation, transferring, linear and nonlinear optical properties, and their applications of topological insulators in pulsed fiber lasers. pulsed fiber lasers towards midinfrared regimes have been proposed.