Cloud phase is not only a key meteorological and climatological variable, but also an important research content about cloud physics parameter retrieving using satellite remote sensing data, and its determination is also a necessary step in the retrieval of cloud particle size, optical thickness and other cloud microphysics parameters. The development of satellite remote sensing technology provides an unprecedented method for cloud phase discrimination research. This paper introduces the main sources of satellite remote sensors which can detect cloud phase information. It summaizes the physical principles and discrimination methods based on spaceborne passive optics and polarized radiance and active radar remote sensing data particularly. At last, Advantages and disadvantages of different satellite remote sensor also have been given and the prospects have been discussed for future cloud phase discrimination work which will be good for cloud physics parameter retrieving research.