Hydrogen is considered a potential, clean, and renewable energy for the future. Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are significant components in AEM fuel cells and water electrolysis, crucial devices in the hydrogen industry. Friedel-Crafts (F–C) reaction has been widely used in preparing AEMs due to its versatility, high catalytic efficiency, relatively mild reaction conditions, etc. This review article provides a comprehensive literature survey for AEMs prepared via Friedel-Crafts reaction. Firstly, the fundamentals of the F–C reaction were introduced in detail, including the category, mechanism, catalyst and chloromethylating agent. Different types of AEMs, including polysulfones (PSUs), poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs), poly(ether ketones) (PEKs), and poly(2,6- dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO), etc. were discussed. The cell performance of fuel cells and water electrolysis was investigated and analyzed. Finally, this review addresses the current challenges facing the development of AEM and proposed research implications for future investigations.