Soil organic phosphorus (P) is an important component of the soil P pool and its mineralization plays an important role in global P cycling. Understanding the mineralization of soil organic P is beneficial for the efficient utilization and management of P in terrestrial ecosystems. In recent years, the application of advanced techniques such as modern spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry has provided crucial avenues for a more comprehensive characterization of the composition and structure of organic P. This review summarizes the applications of these technologies in quantifying changes in soil organic P content. Organic P, following mineralization, is converted into inorganic P(Pi), making it available for direct uptake and utilization by plants and microorganisms. Soil organic P mineralization is orchestrated by two primary pathways: enzymatic and mineral-mediated processes. Delving into the mechanisms of biological catalysis and abiological mineral-mediated catalysis is crucial for elucidating the control pathways of organic P. The mechanisms of soil organic P mineralization can be divided into biological mineralization driven by the oxidation of organic matter by microorganisms (phoA, phoD, and phoX) in response to energy demand, and biochemical mineralization driven by the release of Pi nutrients from plants in response to the demand for P nutrients mediated by phosphatases. Recent investigations have underscored the significance of minerals as an abiological mineralization pathway, shedding light on the mechanisms and actions of mineral-mediated catalysis. The surfaces of minerals (such as iron (hydro)oxides, manganese (hydro)oxides, and aluminum (hydro)oxides) provide an enzyme-like environment, facilitating the cleavage of phosphate ester (P-O-C) and terminal phosphoanhydride (P-O-P) bonds, resulting in the hydrolysis of organic P to Pi. In soil ecosystems, the biogenic elements carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are intimately linked with soil organic P mineralization. From a nutrient factor perspective, elucidating the driving patterns of organic P mineralization can inform strategies to regulate soil P pools. Specifically, C effectively drives microbial mineralization of organic P, whereas N influences enzymatic metabolism, with the interplay between the two elements profoundly influencing the soil organic P mineralization process. The multiple forms of organic P present in soils are susceptible to influences from various external factors, which modulate phosphatase activity and alter organic P content, thereby further affecting the mineralization process. Various factors, including agricultural practices (such as fertilizer application, tillage practices, and biochar application), soil physical and chemical properties (such as pH, temperature, soil water content, and soil aeration status), microbial biomass, soil CO2 concentration, vegetation, and pollutants all impact soil organic P mineralization, resulting in corresponding environmental ecological effects. Therefore, regulating organic P mineralization is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and protecting the environment. Future strategies can focus on enhancing phosphatase activity, altering organic P composition, and increasing the abundance of phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms to improve soil organic P mineralization. This review summarizes the advances in soil organic P mineralization research, synthesizing the soil processes, influencing factors, and control pathways, and highlighting the existing challenges and prospects.