You’ve probably been there. You just switched from a Samsung to the latest iPhone, or maybe you’re a student diving into the world of Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS) for the first time. You open the App Store, type in "AnkiDroid," and... nothing. Or worse, a dozen copycat apps with names like "Anki Pro" or "AnkiApp" pop up, looking just legit enough to be confusing.
Here is the cold, hard truth: the ankidroid app for iphone does not exist.
It never has. It probably never will. AnkiDroid is an open-source project built specifically for the Android ecosystem by a group of dedicated volunteers. They don't make an iOS version. If you see an app on your iPhone that says it's AnkiDroid, it's a fake.
But don't panic. You aren't locked out of your flashcards. You just need to know which "Anki" is the real deal on Apple devices and why the landscape is so weirdly fragmented.
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The Official Solution: AnkiMobile Flashcards
If you want the actual, official companion to the Anki desktop program on your iPhone, you're looking for AnkiMobile Flashcards.
It’s developed by Damien Elmes, the lead dev behind the whole Anki ecosystem. Unlike the Android version, this one isn't free. It costs $24.99.
I know. People usually balk at that price. Twenty-five bucks for a mobile app in an era of 99-cent games feels like a lot. But there’s a reason for it. This single purchase essentially funds the entire Anki project. It pays for the servers that host AnkiWeb (where your cards are synced for free), the development of the free desktop software, and the upkeep of the cloud infrastructure.
Honestly, if you're a med student or a serious language learner, it’s a drop in the bucket. Most people spend more than that on a week of lattes.
Why AnkiMobile is Actually Better Than the Android Version
Coming from Android, you might miss the "hacky" feel of AnkiDroid, but the iOS app is surprisingly polished.
- Native Feel: It feels like an iPhone app. The gestures—swiping left to undo, right to "easy"—are intuitive.
- Apple Pencil Support: If you use an iPad alongside your iPhone, you can draw directly onto cards. This is a lifesaver for chemistry or math.
- FSRS Integration: The new Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler (FSRS) usually hits the official iOS app before it gets fully stable on the volunteer-run Android side.
- Reliability: Because it's a paid, professional product, it rarely crashes. It just works.
How to Get the Ankidroid Experience for Free on iOS
Maybe you're a broke student. Or maybe you just fundamentally refuse to pay for an app. I get it. While the ankidroid app for iphone isn't a thing, you can still study your Anki decks on an iPhone without spending a dime.
The secret? AnkiWeb.
It's the browser-based version of Anki. It’s not fancy. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the native app. But it is 100% free and syncs perfectly with your desktop.
- Create an account on AnkiWeb from your computer.
- Sync your cards from the desktop app.
- Open Safari on your iPhone and log in.
- Tap the "Share" icon in Safari and select "Add to Home Screen."
Boom. You now have a "web app" icon on your phone that lets you do your reviews. It requires an internet connection (unlike the paid app), but it gets the job done when you're standing in line at the grocery store.
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Beware the "Anki" Imposters
This is the part where most people get burned. Because the "Anki" name isn't trademarked in a way that prevents others from using it, the App Store is flooded with "Anki-ish" apps.
AnkiApp and Anki Pro are the two biggest offenders.
Are they "bad" apps? Not necessarily. They have slick interfaces and some people love them. But—and this is a huge but—they are not compatible with the real Anki ecosystem. You cannot easily sync your cards from the Anki desktop app to AnkiApp. They often use different algorithms. Most importantly, many of them lure you in with a "free" download and then hit you with a $50/year subscription.
If you’re looking for the power and flexibility that made you search for the ankidroid app for iphone in the first place, these knock-offs will likely frustrate you. They lack the massive community-shared decks and the powerful add-on support of the original.
Moving Your Data from Android to iPhone
If you’re making the jump from AnkiDroid to iOS, the process is actually painless as long as you use AnkiWeb.
First, hit "Sync" on your Android phone. Make sure all your media (images and sounds) are uploaded. Then, on your iPhone—whether you're using the $25 AnkiMobile app or the free AnkiWeb browser trick—just log in with the same credentials. Your progress, your intervals, and your decks will all be there.
It’s a seamless transition. You don't need to export files or mess with folders.
The Reality of Learning on the Go
Some people worry that the iPhone experience won't be as "powerful."
In reality, most of the "power usage" for Anki happens on the desktop anyway. That's where you should be creating your cards, tagging them, and managing your note types. The mobile experience—whether on Android or iPhone—is primarily for reviews.
The iPhone handles reviews beautifully. In fact, many users find the AnkiMobile interface to be faster for bulk reviewing than the Android counterpart. The tactile feedback and the way it handles high-resolution images is top-tier.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you need Anki on your iPhone today, don't waste time searching for a non-existent port.
- If you have the budget: Buy AnkiMobile Flashcards. It’s a one-time fee, it supports the creators, and it’s the only way to get the full feature set offline.
- If you're on a budget: Use AnkiWeb via Safari. Add the shortcut to your home screen for a free, "app-like" experience.
- Ignore the clones: Avoid anything with a subscription model or an icon that doesn't match the official blue-and-grey star logo.
- Sync first: Ensure your current AnkiDroid decks are backed up to AnkiWeb before you delete the app on your old phone.
The name might be different, and the price tag might be a surprise, but the science of memory remains the same. Your cards are waiting for you.