Noble gases with inert chemical properties have rich bonding modes under high pressure. Interestingly, Xe and Xe form covalent bonds, originating from the theoretical simulation of the pressure-induced decomposition of XeF 2 , which has yet to be experimentally confirmed. Moreover, the structural phase transition and metallization of XeF 2 under high pressure have always been controversial. Therefore, we conducted extensive experiments using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell technique to investigate the above issues of XeF 2 . We propose that XeF 2 undergoes a structural phase transition and decomposition above 84.1 GPa after laser heating, and the decomposed product Xe 2 F contains Xe-Xe covalent bonds. Neither the pressure nor temperature alone could bring about these changes in XeF 2 . With our UV-vis absorption experiment, I 4/ mmm -XeF 2 was metalized at 159 GPa. This work confirms the existence of Xe-Xe covalent bonds and provides insights into the controversy surrounding XeF 2 , enriching the research on noble gas chemistry under high pressure.