Light is the best carrier of information in quantum network. By exploring the interaction of light with matter, quantum memory technology can be further developed. Quantum memory can simultaneously receive and obtain optical quantum information on demand, which is the basis for establishing large-scale quantum computing and long-distance quantum communication. However, the performance of quantum memory directly affects its practical application process and the progress of quantum information technology. In the past two decades, quantum memory in various physical systems and quantum information protocols has been intensively studied, its performance has been significantly improved, and its relevant applications have been widely demonstrated. In this paper, we firstly sort the research progress of quantum memory metrics in the past ten years, and discuss the development of efficiency, lifetime, fidelity and mode capacity in detail according to the characteristics of cold atom systems and solid-state doped ion crystal systems. Secondly, the recent typical applications of quantum memory in quantum entanglement, memory-enhanced multi-photon processes, and quantum interference of different particles are introduced. Finally, the future development of quantum storage is prospected and summarized.