How to Download and Install Anki: Step-by-Step Setup Guide (2026)

Complete setup guide for Anki on every platform - desktop, iPhone, and Android - including first-time settings and how to sync between devices.

Anki · Getting Started · Last updated March 2026

Cost Summary

Anki Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) - Free
AnkiDroid (Android) - Free
AnkiMobile (iPhone/iPad) - $24.99 one-time (this funds development of the free desktop and Android apps)
AnkiWeb (sync + web review) - Free

Step 1: Download Anki Desktop

Start with Anki desktop - this is where you'll create cards, manage decks, and configure settings. The mobile apps are for reviewing on the go.

Windows

1. Go to apps.ankiweb.net
2. Click the Windows download button
3. Run the installer (.exe file) - accept defaults
4. Launch Anki from the Start menu

Mac

1. Go to apps.ankiweb.net
2. Click the Mac download button (choose Apple Silicon if you have an M1/M2/M3 Mac)
3. Open the .dmg file and drag Anki to Applications
4. On first launch, right-click → Open to bypass Gatekeeper

Linux

1. Download the Linux package from apps.ankiweb.net
2. Extract and run ./install.sh
3. Or install via package manager: flatpak install anki

Step 2: Create an AnkiWeb Account

AnkiWeb is Anki's free sync service. You need it to sync between desktop and mobile, and to access your collection from a browser.

Go to ankiweb.net and click Sign Up
Enter your email and create a password
In Anki desktop: Tools → Preferences → Syncing → log in with your AnkiWeb account
Click the sync button (cloud icon in the toolbar) to perform your first sync

Step 3: Install on Mobile

iPhone / iPad (AnkiMobile)

1. Open the App Store and search "AnkiMobile Flashcards"
2. Purchase for $24.99 (one-time, permanent)
3. Open the app and sign in with your AnkiWeb account
4. Tap the sync button - your decks appear automatically

The purchase price goes to Anki development. No subscription, no hidden fees.

Android (AnkiDroid)

1. Open Google Play Store and search "AnkiDroid"
2. Install - it's completely free
3. Open the app → hamburger menu → Settings → AnkiDroid → AnkiWeb Account
4. Log in and sync

AnkiDroid is a separate open-source project from Anki desktop but fully compatible.

Step 4: Import Your First Deck

You have two options: download a pre-made deck or import cards from an external source.

Option A: Download from AnkiWeb

In Anki desktop: Get Shared button at the bottom of the main window. This opens ankiweb.net/shared/decks/ in your browser. Search for your subject, download a .apkg file, then open it - Anki imports it automatically.

Option B: Import from AI generator

Generate a deck from your own notes using an AI flashcard tool, export as .apkg or .csv, then File → Import in Anki desktop. This is the fastest way to get cards for your specific course material. See how to export to Anki for detailed steps.

First-Time Settings to Change

Before you start reviewing, make two changes:

Enable FSRS - Deck options → scroll to bottom → toggle FSRS on, set retention to 0.90. This is Anki's modern scheduling algorithm and significantly better than the default.
Set new cards per day to 10 - Deck options → New cards → Daily limit. The default 20 creates an unsustainable review backlog within weeks. Start at 10 and increase once you've established the habit.

See the full Anki settings guide for everything else.

Supercharging Your Setup: Essential Add-ons for Beginners

Once Anki is installed, the real power lies in its extensibility. Add-ons are community-created plugins that add advanced functionality to the desktop version. To install them, navigate to Tools → Add-ons → Get Add-ons and enter the specific code found on the AnkiWeb add-ons page.

Review Heatmap: Adds a visual calendar to your main screen, motivating you to maintain a daily streak by visualizing your consistency.
Image Occlusion Enhanced: A must-have for anatomy, geography, or chemistry students; it allows you to hide specific labels on an image and guess them.
Frozen Fields: Ideal for those creating their own cards, as it allows you to keep certain text constant across multiple cards in a session.

While add-ons enhance the user experience, the quality of your cards is what ultimately determines your success. To avoid spending hours manually typing, you can use StudyCards AI to instantly convert your lecture notes into high-quality Anki-ready files, which you can then import using the steps mentioned above.

Common Installation Hurdles and How to Fix Them

Despite the straightforward installation process, new users often encounter a few technical roadblocks. Knowing how to handle these prevents the initial frustration that often leads beginners to abandon the software.

macOS Gatekeeper: If you see a warning that "Anki cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer," do not panic. Right-click the app in your Applications folder and select "Open" instead of double-clicking. This tells macOS you trust the software.
Sync Conflicts: When you first sync between desktop and mobile, Anki may ask if you want to "Upload to AnkiWeb" or "Download from AnkiWeb." If your desktop is the primary source of your cards, choose Upload to push your local collection to the cloud.
Android Permission Issues: Some Android versions may block AnkiDroid from accessing local storage. Ensure you grant "Files and Media" permissions in your phone settings to allow the app to import .apkg files from your downloads folder.

Avoiding 'Anki Burnout': Post-Installation Strategy

The most common mistake new users make is "over-importing." It is tempting to download a 2,000-card deck and start reviewing immediately, but this often leads to a massive backlog of cards that becomes psychologically overwhelming within two weeks.

Limit New Cards: Start with 10-20 new cards per day. This allows you to build a sustainable habit without being buried by an avalanche of reviews.
Prioritize Reviews: Always finish your "Due" cards before starting "New" cards. The core value of Anki is the spaced repetition of old information, not the rapid acquisition of new data.
Quality Over Quantity: If a card is consistently "Leeching" (you keep getting it wrong), don't just keep hitting 'Again.' Edit the card to make it simpler or more intuitive.

Remember that Anki is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is long-term retention, and a steady, manageable daily routine is far more effective than a weekend binge of flashcards.

Now Fill Your Anki with Cards from Your Notes

Anki is set up - now you need cards. StudyCards AI converts your notes, PDFs, or any text into a ready-to-import Anki deck. No manual card creation needed.

Start Free - Create Your First Deck →