How to download Anki and import a deck
Getting started takes about ten minutes. Here's how to install Anki, import a deck and get your cards onto your phone.
1. Install Anki on your computer
- Go to apps.ankiweb.net, Anki's official website, and click Download. It's free.
- Choose your computer: Mac, Windows or Linux.
- On a Mac: open the downloaded file and drag Anki into your Applications folder. On Windows: run the installer and follow the steps.
- Open Anki. You'll see an empty list of decks.
2. Make a free AnkiWeb account
AnkiWeb keeps your cards and progress backed up, and lets you study the same deck on your computer and phone.
- Go to ankiweb.net and sign up with your email address.
- In Anki on your computer, click Sync at the top and sign in.
3. Import a deck
- Download the deck. Decks come as a file ending in .apkg.
- Double-click the file, or in Anki choose File → Import and pick it.
- The deck appears in your list. Click it, then Study Now.
- Click Sync to upload it to your AnkiWeb account.
Already using a free sample of a Cards by Clara deck? Import the full deck in exactly the same way: it adds the rest of the cards and keeps your progress.
4. Get your cards onto your phone
- Android: install AnkiDroid (free) from the Google Play Store.
- iPhone and iPad: install AnkiMobile Flashcards from the App Store. It's the official app and costs a one-off fee. Other apps with similar names aren't made by Anki.
Open the app, sign in with the same AnkiWeb account and press Sync. Your decks will appear. After that, press Sync on each device whenever you study, so your progress stays the same everywhere.
5. Two settings worth changing
Click the cog next to your deck and choose Options:
- New cards/day: how many new cards Anki shows you each day. The free flashcard planner works out the right number from the date of your first exam paper.
- Maximum reviews/day: set this high, for example 9999, so Anki never holds back reviews that are due.