In the last two decades, mass timber structures have gained popularity in mid-rise or tall building applications worldwide. For timber buildings in seismic regions, it is critical to improve building seismic resilience. Conventional timber structures rely on connections for energy dissipation and system ductility. However, this dependence also carries the risk of damage, potentially resulting in structures that are irreparable in severe earthquakes. In this regard, as one of the low-damage seismic design technologies, self-centering (SC) techniques have been introduced to mass timber structures in 2005. The relevant research and applications have led to significant technological progress in the field. This paper provides an overview of recent research progress since 2019, encompassing experimental studies, analytical and numerical simulations, key design aspects, and practical applications of SC mass timber structures. It highlights recent technological advancements and identifies future research directions to address knowledge gaps identified in this review. •This paper reviews developments in SC mass timber structures, including experiments, simulations, design aspects, and applications.•In addition to the PT technique, experimental study on other SC technologies used in mass timber structures are also included.•Research that contributes to the design of SC mass timber structures is covered.