Electrolyte regulation plays its critical role in addressing the reversibility issue of metallic Zn anode towards high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries. In view of the flourish electrolyte additive approach, the review is organized to discuss the influence of electrolyte additive on the electrolyte-Zn chemistry for the representative zinc electrolytes. Accordingly, the effects of electrolyte additives on the fundamental physicochemical properties of electrolytes, Zn surface, and Zn deposition are discussed and summarized. Based on the revealed roles of additives in interface reaction across current literature, we further provide outlook and perspective on current issues of the additive approach and potential directions.