Summary Microporous film and MAP were evaluated to find the optimal method for extending the postharvest storage of strawberry. To determine the most suitable MAP system for strawberry, fruits were stored in controlled atmospheres (O2/CO2 partial pressures in kPa: 5/10; 10/10; 5/15), and in a separate experiment, strawberries were sealed in the container with different microporous PET/PE films. Results showed that the optimum atmosphere of strawberries was 10 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 which could be achieved and maintained by using the microporous film with four perforations of 100 μm. By maintaining the optimal atmosphere, active EMAP could increase polyphenol compounds accumulation, with total phenolic content increased by 25% and the content of anthocyanin and total flavonoid was 13% and 29% higher than control at the end of storage. Meanwhile, active EMAP significantly increased CAT PAL and APX activities and the shelf‐life was prolonged for 6 and 3 days, respectively, compared with strawberries packed in control and passive EMAP. Novel equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) system for strawberry has been studied. EMAP configurations were designed by means of a validated mathematical model and confirmed by experiment. EMAP improved gas and water vapour transmission by microperforation on laminated lidding films. EMAP treatment effectively maintained higher quality and preserved antioxidant substances in strawberries.