Ethylene and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) genes were important for fruit ripening and softening in 'Taishanzaoxia' apple. In this study, we found it was ACS1-1/-1 homozygotes in 'Taishanzaoxia' apple, which determined the higher transcription activity of ACS1. XTH1, XTH3, XTH4, XTH5, and XTH9 were mainly involved in the early fruit softening independent of ethylene, while XTH2, XTH6, XTH7, XTH8, XTH10, and XTH11 were predominantly involved in the late fruit softening dependent on ethylene. Overexpression of XTH2 and XTH10 in tomato resulted in the elevated expression of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis (ACS2, ACO1), signal transduction (ERF2), and fruit softening (XTHs, PG2A, Cel2, and TBG4). In summary, the burst of ethylene in 'Taishanzaoxia' apple was predominantly determined by ACS1-1/-1 genotype, and the differential expression of XTH genes dependent on and independent of ethylene played critical roles in the fruit ripening and softening. XTH2 and XTH10 may act as a signal switch in the feedback regulation of ethylene signaling and fruit softening.