Anki Download for Mac & Windows: Complete Setup Guide (2026)

Getting Anki onto a MacBook or Windows PC should take under five minutes — yet the official download page is easy to misread, macOS Gatekeeper throws a security warning that looks like a hard block, and the naming overlap between Anki Desktop, AnkiDroid, AnkiMobile, and AnkiWeb trips up even experienced users. This guide cuts through all of it. You will know exactly which file to download, how to install it without error messages, and how to keep your version current going forward.

If you are on a MacBook and just want the fastest path: jump to the Mac download section. Windows users can skip ahead to the Windows section. And if you searched for “AnkiDroid for Mac,” there is a dedicated section explaining why that search leads nowhere — and what actually works instead.

What Is Anki and Why Download It?

Anki is a free, open-source flashcard application built around spaced repetition — a scientifically validated learning method that schedules reviews at precisely the intervals needed to lock information into long-term memory. Created by Damien Elmes and released in 2006, it is licensed under the GNU AGPL and has been downloaded tens of millions of times by students, medical professionals, language learners, and academics worldwide.

Unlike browser-based flashcard tools, Anki for desktop runs entirely on your machine. Your cards are stored locally, your scheduling data never leaves your computer unless you opt in to AnkiWeb sync, and the application works with zero internet connection. That combination of offline reliability, rich customization, and a proven algorithm is why Anki has maintained a dedicated user base for nearly two decades.

Anki uses the SM-2 algorithm — an older but well-tested spaced repetition formula that calculates the next review date based on how easily you recalled each card. The desktop version supports add-ons (installable extensions that add features like image occlusion, cloze overlapper, and advanced statistics), HTML/CSS card styling, and complex deck hierarchies. It is genuinely powerful, and genuinely has a learning curve.

The Anki ecosystem has four components you need to keep straight before downloading anything:

• Anki Desktop — Free. Runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. This is the one you are downloading.
• AnkiWeb — Free sync service at ankiweb.net. Optional; used to sync between devices.
• AnkiMobile — $24.99 one-time purchase. Official iOS app for iPhone and iPad. Developed by the same team.
• AnkiDroid — Free. Official Android app. Developed by a separate open-source community, not the Anki Desktop team.

None of those four are interchangeable, and none of them is a subscription product. The $24.99 AnkiMobile price tag often causes confusion for users who expect the iOS experience to mirror the free desktop download. For a deeper look at the iOS side, see our Anki on iPad guide.

How to Download Anki for Mac (Step-by-Step)

The following steps apply to any MacBook — whether you are on an Intel Mac or an Apple Silicon (M1 / M2 / M3 / M4) machine. Anki provides separate builds for each architecture, so it is worth picking the right one.

Step 1 – Go to the official download page

Open your browser and navigate to apps.ankiweb.net. This is the only official source. Do not download Anki from third-party software repositories, as those versions may be outdated or bundled with unwanted software.

Step 2 – Select the correct Mac build

The download page presents two Mac options:

• Apple Silicon (.dmg) — For any Mac with an M-series chip (M1 and later). If you bought your Mac in late 2020 or after, this is almost certainly you.
• Intel (.dmg) — For older MacBooks with an Intel processor. You can check: Apple menu → About This Mac. The chip line will say either “Apple M” or “Intel Core.”

Downloading the wrong build will not cause data loss, but performance will be noticeably worse — the Intel build running under Rosette 2 is slower than the native Apple Silicon build.

Step 3 – Open the .dmg and drag Anki to Applications

Once the download completes, double-click the .dmg file. A window will open showing the Anki icon alongside a shortcut to your Applications folder. Drag Anki onto the Applications shortcut. Wait for the copy to finish, then eject the disk image.

Step 4 – Handle the Gatekeeper prompt

The first time you open Anki, macOS will display a warning: “Anki cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” or a similar Gatekeeper message. This is normal for apps downloaded outside the Mac App Store, including Anki. To proceed:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll down to the Security section. You will see a message about Anki being blocked.
4. Click Open Anyway.
5. Confirm in the dialog that appears.

You will only need to do this once. After approving, Anki opens normally every subsequent launch.

Step 5 – Complete first-run setup

On first launch, Anki creates a profile and a local database file at ~/Library/Application Support/Anki2/. The main window will prompt you to either create your first deck or import an existing .apkg file. If you already use Anki on another device, you can set up AnkiWeb sync at this point (Tools → Preferences → Syncing).

How to Download Anki for Windows

The Anki Windows download process is straightforward but has one important choice to make upfront. Anki for Windows comes in two variants:

• Qt6 build (recommended) — The current default. Better performance, modern rendering, and the version that receives the most active development. Use this unless you have a specific reason not to.
• Qt5 build (legacy) — For older systems or users who have encountered Qt6-specific rendering issues. Available as an alternative download on the same page.

Installation steps for Windows

1. Go to apps.ankiweb.net and click the Windows download button for the Qt6 build.
2. Run the downloaded .exe installer. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning — click “More info” then “Run anyway.” Like the macOS Gatekeeper prompt, this is expected behavior for apps outside the Microsoft Store.
3. Follow the installer prompts. Default installation path is fine for most users.
4. Launch Anki from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.

Anki stores its data at %APPDATA%\Anki2\ on Windows (typically C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Anki2\). If you want to back up your cards manually, this is the folder to copy.

Windows system requirements

Anki for Windows supports Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported in current releases. The application is lightweight — a standard install is under 200 MB and requires minimal RAM during normal review sessions.

Anki Update: How to Keep Your Version Current

Anki releases updates frequently — often once or twice a month for minor builds, with larger releases several times per year. Keeping current matters because updates address bugs, improve sync reliability with AnkiWeb, and occasionally change the scheduling algorithm. Running an outdated version can also cause sync conflicts if AnkiWeb has moved ahead.

How to check for and apply an Anki update

1. Open Anki on your Mac or Windows PC.
2. Go to Help → Check for Updates (Mac) or the same menu on Windows.
3. Anki will connect to the update server and report whether your version is current.
4. If an update is available, click the download link — it takes you directly to the relevant release on apps.ankiweb.net.
5. Download and install the new version. On Mac, drag the new build to Applications and replace the existing one. On Windows, run the new installer over the existing install.

Your card data and scheduling information are stored separately from the application itself, so updating Anki never deletes your decks. As a precaution, it is still good practice to create a manual backup via File → Export before any major version upgrade.

Should you always run the latest version?

For most users, yes. The main exception is add-on compatibility. If you rely on specific Anki add-ons, check the add-on’s page on AnkiWeb to confirm it supports the new version before upgrading. Some popular add-ons take days or weeks to update after a major Anki release. If an add-on is essential to your workflow, consider waiting a week after a major release before updating.

AnkiDroid for Mac: Why It Doesn’t Exist (and What to Use Instead)

Searching for AnkiDroid for Mac is one of the most common sources of confusion in the Anki ecosystem. The search returns no official result because AnkiDroid does not exist for macOS — and this is by design.

AnkiDroid is an Android application. It was built specifically for the Android operating system, uses Android APIs, and runs on Android devices. There is no Mac or macOS build and there has never been one. The “Droid” in AnkiDroid literally refers to Android.

The confusion usually arises from one of two places:

• Users who want to run Anki on Mac without the desktop install. They remember that AnkiDroid exists as a lightweight alternative to Anki Desktop on Android, and wonder if the same option exists for Mac.
• Users who found AnkiDroid helpful on a previous Android device and now want to continue using it after switching to a MacBook.

If you are in either category, here are your actual options for Anki on Mac:

• Anki Desktop (free) — The full desktop application described in this guide. This is the recommended path for serious Mac-based study.
• AnkiWeb in the browser (free) — If you have an AnkiWeb account and your decks are synced, you can review at ankiweb.net from any browser without installing anything. Functionality is limited compared to the desktop app, but it works for basic review sessions.
• Flashcard Maker Chrome extension (free) — A browser-based alternative that runs entirely within Chrome on any Mac. No installation beyond the extension itself, no account required, and it uses the modern FSRS algorithm rather than SM-2. More on this below.

If you need Anki on an iPhone or iPad rather than a Mac, that is a different product entirely — AnkiMobile at $24.99. Our dedicated Anki on iPad guide covers that in full.

Common Anki Download and Installation Issues

“Anki is damaged and can’t be opened” (Mac)

This error appears on some Macs even after you click “Open Anyway” in System Settings. It is a macOS quarantine attribute issue. Fix it with Terminal:

Open Terminal and run: xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Anki.app

This removes the quarantine flag from the Anki application bundle. After running the command, Anki will open normally. This is safe to do — you are simply telling macOS that you trust the application you intentionally downloaded.

Anki opens but displays a blank white window (Mac)

This is occasionally reported on MacBooks with external monitors or after waking from sleep. It is a rendering initialization bug. Fix: quit Anki completely (Command + Q), wait five seconds, then relaunch. If the issue persists, try switching between the Qt6 and Qt5 builds — some display configurations work better with one than the other.

Windows SmartScreen blocks the installer

SmartScreen blocks Anki because the installer is not digitally signed by Microsoft. It is safe to bypass: click “More info” in the SmartScreen dialog, then “Run anyway.” Alternatively, right-click the installer .exe, select Properties, and check “Unblock” at the bottom of the General tab before running it.

Add-ons stop working after an Anki update

Add-ons are tied to specific Anki versions. After an update, open the add-on manager (Tools → Add-ons) and click “Check for Updates” to fetch updated versions of your installed add-ons. If an add-on has no update available, its author has not yet pushed compatibility changes — you will need to disable it temporarily or downgrade Anki.

Sync fails after updating to a new version

This happens when your AnkiWeb account and your desktop client are running different schema versions. The fix: force a one-way sync from your desktop. Go to File → Sync, and when prompted, choose “Upload to AnkiWeb.” This overwrites the AnkiWeb copy with your local data. Do this only if your local data is the most current copy.

Anki database check error on launch

If Anki reports a database error on startup, run Tools → Check Database. This repairs common integrity issues in the .anki2 SQLite file. If the check fails to repair, restore from a recent backup or use File → Import to bring in the most recent exported .apkg file.

Anki Desktop vs Browser-Based Flashcard Tools

Anki for desktop is powerful, but it is not the right tool for every user or every workflow. Understanding the genuine trade-offs helps you decide whether the download and setup are worth it for your situation.

Feature	Anki Desktop	Flashcard Maker
Price	Free	Free
Installation	Download + install (.dmg or .exe)	Chrome extension (instant)
Algorithm	SM-2 (older, proven)	FSRS (modern, adaptive)
Card creation	Manual typing in note editor	Highlight text → right-click → done
Mobile	AnkiMobile ($24.99 iOS) / AnkiDroid (free Android)	Chrome browser only
Sync	AnkiWeb (free cloud sync)	Local only (offline-first)
Learning curve	Steep (add-ons, note types, templates)	Minimal
Customization	Extensive (add-ons, CSS, HTML)	Streamlined

The honest summary: Anki Desktop is the better long-term tool for users who are committed to deep, sustained study — think medical school, language fluency, professional certification. Its add-on ecosystem and card template system have no peer among free flashcard tools. The investment in learning it pays off over months and years.

Browser-based tools like Flashcard Maker are better suited to workflows where you are creating cards directly from web content, reading, or research — where the friction of switching to a separate application disrupts the learning context. If you are reading an article and want to capture a fact as a flashcard in two seconds without leaving the page, a Chrome extension wins that comparison easily.

For a broader look at how Anki compares against the full range of alternatives, see our best flashcard app guide and our Quizlet alternatives roundup.

A note on the FSRS algorithm

Anki Desktop has offered experimental FSRS support in recent versions as an opt-in scheduler. FSRS — the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler — is a modern algorithm developed by Jarrett Ye that adapts more precisely to individual forgetting curves than SM-2. Flashcard Maker uses FSRS as its default and only scheduler, meaning newer users benefit from the improved algorithm without needing to configure anything. For a deep dive into why spaced repetition algorithms matter, see our spaced repetition study techniques guide.

Getting Started with Flashcard Maker

If the Anki install process feels like too much friction for your current workflow — or if you want a complementary tool that works alongside Anki Desktop for browser-based card creation — Flashcard Maker is worth a look. It is a free Chrome extension that runs inside the browser side panel, with no account or server required.

What Flashcard Maker does

• One-click card creation: Highlight any text on any webpage, right-click, and choose “Create flashcard (as question)” or “Create flashcard (as answer).” The card is saved immediately.
• FSRS scheduling: Cards are reviewed on an adaptive schedule based on the FSRS algorithm, which adjusts to your individual retention patterns.
• Deck management: Organize cards into themed decks for different subjects or projects.
• Performance analytics: Track retention rates, review accuracy, and learning progress over time.
• Immersion mode: Saved words are highlighted as you browse, reinforcing recognition passively.
• Text-to-speech: Listen to card content for language learning or pronunciation practice.
• Export to Quizlet TSV: Move your cards to Quizlet or other tools that accept TSV import.
• Import from Quizlet TSV: Bring existing Quizlet card sets into Flashcard Maker.
• Offline-first: All data stored locally via IndexedDB. No account, no cloud dependency.
• Dark theme with automatic system detection.

There are some deliberate limitations worth knowing: Flashcard Maker is Chrome-only (no Firefox or Safari support), stores data locally without cross-device sync, and has no mobile app. If you need to study on an iPhone or Android device using the same deck, you will need Anki Desktop with AnkiWeb sync, or AnkiMobile / AnkiDroid.

For users who create cards directly from online reading — research, news, documentation, Wikipedia — Flashcard Maker removes the biggest friction point in that workflow. You never have to copy text, switch applications, paste, format, and save. The highlight-and-click flow is fast enough that creating a card adds less than three seconds to reading a page.

If you are curious about AI-powered card creation from documents or PDFs, see our guide to AI flashcard generators for a comparison of tools in that category. And if you are newer to the science of why flashcards work, the active recall study method guide explains the cognitive research behind retrieval-based learning.