Since the Paleozoic, different tectonic plates around the world have formed abundant karst bauxite deposits at varying times. Their complex genesis preserves not only paleoclimatic signatures but also records important geological events, including plate tectonic evolution. Detrital rutile, a refractory accessory mineral in karst bauxite, possesses high chemical stability and records key tectonic events throughout geological history. Based on trace element geochemistry and U- Pb geochronology of rutile from 23 karst bauxite deposits in the North China craton and South China block, this study systematically explores genetic types and their links to supercontinent evolution. Results show that rutile in Chinese karst bauxite of different ages is mainly metamorphic in origin, though their formation conditions differ. Rutile in the Late Carboniferous bauxite of the North China craton records relatively high metamorphic temperatures (granulite facies), while rutile from bauxite in the South China block records lower temperatures (amphibolite to granulite facies). The Late Carboniferous bauxite in the North China craton contains abundant metamorphic rutile associated with the assembly of the Nuna supercontinent, revealing that the North China craton was widely involved in Nuna assembly, and the resulting metamorphic suites served as the provenance for Carboniferous bauxite deposits. Rutile formed during the breakup of Rodinia and the assembly of Gondwana is generally recorded in bauxites of different periods from the South China block, indicating its deep involvement in these two stages of supercontinent evolution. The metamorphic rocks formed during these events provided key material for bauxite genesis in the South China block. This study reveals that detrital rutile in bauxite not only constrains the provenance of bauxite but also preserves a record of plate tectonic evolution, providing a new perspective for exploring global tectonic history.