In this paper, the electro-fluid mask in situ forming technique was used to prepare a horizontally alternating TiO2-MoS2 lubricant-hard composite coating on the surface of a titanium alloy substrate, which can play the role of both lubricant and hard coatings at the same time. The micromorphology, mechanical properties, and tribological behaviors of the alternate coating were studied. Compared with pure MoS2 coatings and TiO2-MoS2-laminated coatings, the alternate sample JT had the lowest friction coefficient of ~ 0.063. By changing the friction conditions, it was found that the friction coefficient of TiO2-MoS2 lubricant-hard alternate coating decreased with increasing external load within the range of 2–8 N force, and in the range of 3–11 mm/s friction velocity, the friction coefficient decreased first and then increased with increasing sliding velocity. However, the alternate coating had a worse anti-friction effect in the high-temperature air environment. And the anti-friction mechanism of the TiO2-MoS2 alternate coating under different friction conditions was analyzed. Graphical Abstract