The T cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM) proteins regulate T cell activation and tolerance. An essential step during clearance of apoptotic cells is the recognition of phosphatidylserine (PS) exposed on apoptotic cells by its receptors on phagocytes. The phosphatidylserine (PS) receptor Tim-4 mediates phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by binding to PS exposed on the surface of these cells, and thus functions as a PS receptor for apoptotic cells. Tim-4 directly binding to PS and functioning as a tethering receptor for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells has been extensively studied over the past decade. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Tim-4 collaborates with other engulfment receptors during efferocytosis remain elusive.