Laser lithotripsy is one of the many fields in which laser has been used since its inception. The thulium-doped lithotripsy fiber laser has evolved in recent years and has gradually been proven to achieve faster lithotripsy rates with powdered lithotripsy, generate less lithotripsy counter-thrust, allow higher liquid irrigation rates, and other surgical advantages, while the whole system supports water-free operation, high electro-optical efficiency operation, efficient all-fiber coupling, and substantial volume reduction. Therefore the thulium-doped lithotripsy fiber laser has attracted increasing interest. In this paper, some important research progresses of thulium-doped fiber lasers are summarized in detail from three aspects: continuous-wave, quasi-continuous-wave, and nanosecond short-pulsed thulium-doped fiber lasers, and the applications in the field of lithotripsy are introduced. We present the advantages and principles of thulium-doped fiber laser for lithotripsy and look forward to the directions and challenges for future research.