Hydrogen is considered a clean energy source that could replace fossil fuels in a future carbon-neutral society. However, persistent challenges associated with low hydrogen storage density and significant energy consumption inherent in conventional high-pressure gaseous and cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage remain. To this end, chemical hydrogen storage has emerged as a viable alternative. Furthermore, substantial progress has been achieved by incorporating renewable and potent light energy into hydrogen uptake and release processes, indicating a promising avenue for addressing the global energy crisis and enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen storage processes. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in material design and their applications in various light-driven photothermochemical hydrogen storage systems. The roles and mechanisms of these materials are discussed in detail to underscore the recent progress. Ultimately, this paper aims to highlight existing challenges and propose future directions for research and application in light-advanced hydrogen storage.