Aqueous metal batteries offer high energy density and excellent compatibility with various cathode materials, and hence, they are attracting significant attention. However, the corrosion of metallic anodes seriously deteriorates the battery performance in terms of capacity loss, retarded reaction kinetics, and shortened cycling life. In this review, the fundamental corrosion mechanisms of metallic anodes in aqueous electrolytes and the key influencing factors are comprehensively discussed and summarized. Subsequently, recent achievements in corrosion inhibition are summarized and categorized to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies. Furthermore, advanced characterization techniques used in corrosion mechanism analyses and protection assessments are elucidated. Finally, the current challenges in addressing the corrosion issue and potential developments in this field are presented.