AnkiDroid decks: how to download, import and sync them

There are three ways to get decks into AnkiDroid, the free Anki app for Android:

1. Download a shared deck. Tap the + button on the deck list, then Get shared decks. That opens AnkiWeb's shared deck list. Find a deck and download it, and AnkiDroid imports it.
2. Import an .apkg file. Open the menu on the deck list and choose Import, then pick the file. You can also open an .apkg from your downloads or an email, and Android will offer to open it in AnkiDroid.
3. Sync from Anki on your computer. Sign in to the same free AnkiWeb account on both, and your decks, review history and media sync between them.

Downloading a shared deck

1. Make sure you're online.
2. On the deck list, tap +, then Get shared decks. AnkiWeb's shared deck page opens.
3. Search, or browse by category, and open a deck.
4. Tap Download. When the download finishes, tap it, and confirm with Add.

The deck shows up in your deck list when the import finishes. Big decks with audio and pictures can take a while.

Not sure which deck to pick? The best Anki decks covers the well-known ones. Anki shared decks covers what to check before you commit to one.

Importing an .apkg file

An .apkg file is an Anki deck package: the cards, plus any audio and pictures, in one file. Anki desktop, AnkiDroid and AnkiMobile all use the same format, so a deck exported from one opens in the others.

• An .apkg is added to what you already have. Your other decks aren't touched.
• A .colpkg is a whole collection backup. Importing one replaces everything in AnkiDroid. Only use it when you mean to restore or move your whole collection.

To import, use Import in the deck list menu and pick the file. If you've downloaded the file on your phone, opening it from your file manager or browser downloads usually works too.

Syncing with AnkiWeb

AnkiWeb is Anki's free sync service. With one account, Anki on your computer, AnkiDroid and AnkiMobile on iPhone can all share the same collection.

1. Make an account at ankiweb.net.
2. In AnkiDroid, tap the sync button at the top of the deck list (the circle of arrows) and sign in.
3. Do the same in Anki on your computer.

After that, tap sync whenever you switch devices. Reviews, new decks and edits sync both ways, and so do audio and pictures, unless you turn off Fetch media on sync.

The first sync can overwrite one side. If both AnkiDroid and AnkiWeb already have cards, AnkiDroid can't merge them the first time. It asks which side to keep, and the other side is replaced. If you've been studying on your phone, back up first and choose carefully. Anki asks the same question later if your collection needs a full sync, for example after some changes to note types.

A common way to set up a big deck is to import it on your computer, sync, and then sync AnkiDroid. Editing cards and managing decks is easier on the desktop.

Making your own cards

You can add cards in AnkiDroid with the + button, too. Short cards with one fact each work best; see how to write good flashcards.

Once you're studying, the daily settings matter more than the deck. How many new cards a day and what Again, Hard, Good and Easy do apply to AnkiDroid the same way they do to Anki on a computer.

Decks, the iPhone app

Decks, the app this site is for, is iPhone only. It has no Android app, and it can't open .apkg files or sync with AnkiWeb. On Android, AnkiDroid is the app to use. If you're moving from Android to an iPhone, see is there AnkiDroid for iPhone?