Digital transformation plays an important role in the process of latecomers catch-up, the existing literatures, however, do not provide a clear answer to the question of which digital transformation to choose and in how to achieve latecomer catch-up. Based on a sample of 309 Chinese latecomer firms, it empirically analyses the impact of digital transformation on latecomers catch-up and explores the moderating role of knowledge search in this relationship. It is found that that both digital transformation of manufacturing (DTM) and digital transformation of business model (DTB) promote latecomers catching-up (LC). Knowledge search with perspective (KSP) strengthens the relationship between DTM and LC, but weakens the effect of DTB on LC, while knowledge search with responsive (KSR) has the opposite moderating effect. Dual knowledge search of perspective and responsive only enhances the role of DTM for latecomers catching-up. By enriching the theories of digital transformation and knowledge search, it provides theoretical implications for latecomers to choose effective digital transformation strategies and achieve latecomers catch-up.