Halide perovskites have emerged as materials for high-performance optoelectronic devices. Often, progress made to date in terms of higher efficiency and stability is based on increasing material complexity that is, formation of multicomponent halide perovskites with multiple cations and anions. In this review article, the use of in situ optical methods, namely photoluminescence (PL) and UV-Vis, that provide access to the relevant time-and length-scales to ascertain chemistry-property relationships by monitoring evolving properties is discussed. Additionally, because halide perovskites are electron-ion conductors and prone to solid-state ion transport under various external stimuli application of these optical methods in the context of ionic movement, is described to reveal mechanistic insights. Finally, examples of using in situ PL and UV-Vis to study degradation and phase transitions are reviewed to demonstrate the wealth of information that can be obtained regarding many different aspects of ongoing research activities in the field of halide perovskites.