A review of mechanical sensing techniques based on magnetic methods is presented, with special reference to magnetoelastic strain gauges and force sensors. A novel strain sensor based on soft amorphous ribbons is described. Other types of magnetic sensors, for the measurement of torque and displacement are briefly discussed. An overview of magnetic actuators based on giant magnetostrictive materials, with some practical examples, is presented. Recent advances in the development and application of magnetic shape memory materials are discussed, together with the analysis of recent studies for the description of magnetic shape memory phenomena.