In this article, influences of alkali (alkaline concentrations and alkaline sources) on phases and morphologies of Ni 2+ doped In 2 O 3 nanocrystals were systematically investigated. Various morphologies, including 0-D nanospheres, nanocubes and 1-D nanoneedles, and monopod or bipod nanorods, could be easily tuned by slightly changing alkaline concentrations and alkaline sources. Meanwhile, phase transformations, from Ni 2+ doped indium oxohydroxides to related oxides, could be completely controlled by alkaline concentrations. In addition, the infrared, luminescence and magnetic properties of un-doped and Ni 2+ doped In 2 O 3 were also characterized.