Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged among porous materials. The designable structure and specific functionality make them stand out for diverse applications. In conceptual MOF, the metal ions/clusters and organic ligands are perfectly coordinated to form a network framework as an ideal crystal structure. However, in reality, uncoordinated metal and ligands or vacancies in the crystal structure are already confirmed and known as defects. Defects in the MOF structure have inner effects on the functional properties and uniquely influence the MOF's applications. Thus, besides various methods for MOF development, the strategy of structural design, and functionalization, manufacturing defects in MOF could be another modification strategy of MOFs. These tailorable strategies to induce defects in the MOF structure not only change the MOFs properties but also improved the performance in various applications. This review overviews the progress of strategies for inducing structural defects, aiming to provide knowledge for defective MOFs. Subsequently, the influence of these methods on the MOFs properties and applications, especially adsorption and catalysis, were discussed.