The properties of chitosan film and nano-ZnO/chitosan complex film were tested, including tensile strength, elongation, water vapor permeability, and oxygen permeability. The effects of 5% nano-ZnO and chitosan complex film on apple preservation were studied. The results showed that the film formation performance of the complex film is better than that of chitosan film; the reduce of sensory indicator, rotten index, weight loss rate, and vitamin C content of coated apples were less than the uncoated apples and apples coated with chitosan film. Compared with the uncoated apples, the storage life of apples coated with chitosan film and nano-ZnO/chitosan complex film extend by 6 days and 9 days respectively.