Palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization is one of the hot topics in the field of organic synthesis methodology. Directing groups play an important role in the regioselectivity of C-H activation. Herein, this review presents the recent progress on the removable and transformable directing groups for the palladium-catalyzed C-H bonds activation and their applications in the synthesis of complicate molecules. Moreover, the research trend of this area is also prospected.