To address the technical challenges of end-zone top coal recovery which is loacted over roadwagys and transition supports in thick-seam fully mechanized top coal caving mining face, based on the deformation characteristics of the roof strata in end-zone, a technology of end-zone top coal recovery through lagging end-zone coal caving supports in a fully mechanized top coal caving face is proposed by combining theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field application. The caving-capable supports in the end zone are arranged 2–3m lagging behind the working face supports torward the direction of goaf, and the transfer machine and the rear scraper conveyor are extended to the end of the coal caving supports in end-zone of the working face. At the same time, the transition supports with coal caving function are adopted, and the top coal of the whole working face and the top coal of the mining roadways can be recovered by using the coal transportation equipment of the original working face. Multiple validated top coal fracturing technologies have been implemented, including anchor withdrawing, mesh cutting, gas explosion fracturing, and static expansion fracturing. Applicaton of the technology of recoverying end-zone top coal through lagging end-zone coal caving supports in a fully mechanized top coal caving face in Sanyuan coal mine shows that about 72 tons of top coal resources can be additonnally recovered for every 1m mining, and the recovery rate of the working face is increased by 2.5%. The safe and efficient recovery of the top coal of the mining roadways and the top coal of the transition support has not only achieved remarkable economic benefits, but also promoted the safe, efficient and sustainable mining of the mine.