Abstract The performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is negatively affected by iodine (I2) impurities generated from the oxidation of iodide ions in the perovskite precursor powder, solution, and perovskite films. In this study, the use of potassium formate (HCOOK) as a reductant to minimize the presence of detrimental I2 impurities is presented. It is demonstrated that HCOOK can effectively reduce I2 back to I− in the precursor solution as well as in the devices under external conditions.