A flash memory controller is configured to decode a codeword. During the decoding process, the flash memory can check the decoding status of each codeword segment in the codeword and skip the decoding of a codeword segment whose decoding status is passed, thereby saving time decoding and also improving decoding efficiency. Even though only a part of the codeword segments in the codeword have been successfully decoded in the decoding process at the previous time, the flash memory controller can replace the part of the codeword segments in the codeword with the correct results obtained previously, and then decoding the re-formed codeword again. Accordingly, the decoding accuracy can be increased and the burden on the subsequent decoding process or data recovery can be reduced.