The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists who have made great contributions in discovery oflithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The LIBS with graphite as anode have dominated the rechargeable battery markets of portable electronics and electric vehicles(EVs).For the next-generation batteries,high energy density is the important trend of development.Thus lithium metal is considered as the most promising anode owing to its highest theoretical capacity and the lowest electrochemical potential.However,the severe safety concs hinder its practical application.The uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrltes leads to capacity decay,low Coulombic efficiency,possible short circuit and thermal runaway.In this perspective,various methods to protect Li metal anode have been analyzed.The development of solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)and the role of lithium anode in SSEs are discussed.Several new strategies for improving the safety of Li metal based batteries are proposed to realize the real market-oriented security applications.