Scanning　ion　conductance　microscopy　has　a　widespread　application　in　imaging　non-conductive　substrates,　especially　biological　samples　due　to　its　high-resolution　and　non-contact　imaging.　In　this　work,　state-of-the-art　achievements　on　exploring　samples’　surface　properties　including　surface　morphology,　sample　conductivity　and　dynamics　using　scanning　ion　conductance　microscopy　are　firstly　introduced,　which　confirm　that　scanning　ion　conductance　microscopy　is　such　a　mature　technology　that　realises　non-invasive　and　high-resolution　imaging.　Then,　combinations　with　scanning　electrochemical　microscopy　and　atomic　force　microscopy　are　demonstrated,　which　realise　the　multifunction　of　scanning　ion　conductance　microscopy.　Furthermore,　improvements　that　can　help　enhance　the　imaging　rate　are　presented.　Finally,　the　future　direction　of　scanning　ion　conductance　microscopy　is　discussed.　©　The　Institution　of　Engineering　and　Technology　2019.