The invention discloses a steel pipe connector and a method for connecting steel pipes through the steel pipe connector, and relates to the field of steel pipe coating production. A main body shape of the steel pipe connector is a non-closed cylinder, a locking device is fixedly arranged on the inner side wall of the non-closed cylinder, and a limiting ring is arranged on the outer wall of the non-closed cylinder; the locking device is fixed to the inner side wall through connecting parts and comprises a handle, a transmission mechanism, a push rod and outer cylinders matched with the push rod; the handle is connected with the transmission mechanism, and two transmission ends of the transmission mechanism are each fixedly provided with one outer cylinder; and the outer cylinders are connected with the connecting parts through the push rod. The method comprises the steps that the steel pipe connector is mounted at the pipe end of each target steel pipe, and it is ensured that two adjacent steel pipes are in head-to-tail connection through the steel pipe connector. According to the steel pipe connector, rapid connection and convenient assembling and disassembling of the pipe ends of the steel pipes are achieved. The steel pipe connector is simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost and free of damaging a pipe opening.