Abstract The van der Waals MnBi 2 Te 4 (Bi 2 Te 3 ) n family, encompassing MnBi 2 Te 4 ( n = 0), MnBi 4 Te 7 ( n = 1), MnBi 6 Te 10 ( n = 2), and MnBi 8 Te 13 ( n = 3) etc, has attracted considerable interest owing to its intriguing combination of intrinsic magnetism and non-trivial band topology. This unique blend offers a fertile ground for investigating the engineering of magnetic states and the interplay between magnetism and topology. A comprehensive understanding and manipulation of their magnetic properties in single-crystal bulk and two-dimensional (2D) forms are imperative for the advancement of applications in quantum technology. This review presents an extensive overview of recent experimental and theoretical inquiries into the magnetic characteristics of MnBi 2 Te 4 (Bi 2 Te 3 ) n ( n = 0, 1, 2, 3) spanning from the bulk to the 2D realm. It delves into intrinsic and defect-related magnetism and its modulation under diverse external fields. The elucidations provided herein aspire to enhance the understanding of magnetic phenomena in magnetic topological insulators, underscoring the potential for tailoring magnetic states to propel future quantum devices.