The resource utilization of oyster shell (OS) is essential for environmental and human health because its random disposal can induce the environmental pollution and disease spread. Herein, MnFe2O4 loaded-oyster shell (OMFs) was prepared by co-precipitation method for phosphate removal and recovery. The salt etching and MnFe2O4 (MF) loading improved the adsorption performance of OS, and the maximum adsorption capacity of OMF0.02 reached 87.39 mg P/g. Phosphate adsorption was dominated by chemisorption and its rate was limited by membrane diffusion and intra-particle diffusion. Phosphate adsorption by OMF0.02 was involved with electrostatic attraction, surface precipitation and ligand exchange. 98.95 % phosphate on saturated adsorbent could be desorbed by 0.1 mol/L malic acid and 92.31 % adsorbed phosphate was released by 0.5 mol/L NaHCO3. Furthermore, phosphate adsorbed on OMF0.02 was plant-available basing on the results of water spinach growth trial. All the results implied the bright prospect of OMF0.02 in phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater.