How to Import Your Anki Decks to WordPlus (.apkg, URL, AnkiWeb)

You can now import your existing Anki decks into Word+ (WordPlus) without rebuilding them by hand. WordPlus supports three import methods: upload an .apkg file from your device, paste a direct URL to a .apkg file, or browse and download decks from AnkiWeb inside an in-app browser. Imported cards immediately join the Leitner schedule and become available in all study modes.

If you have been using Anki for vocabulary and you are evaluating a switch — or just want a mobile-first study experience without losing what you built — this is the migration guide.

Quick Answer

The fastest way to move an Anki deck into WordPlus is the AnkiWeb in-app browser: open WordPlus, choose Import → Anki → Download from AnkiWeb, find your deck, tap Download. WordPlus automatically captures the file, processes it, and notifies you when the deck is ready.

| Method | Best for | Time | |---|---|---| | .apkg from device | You already exported decks locally | About 1–3 minutes per deck | | Direct URL | You have a hosted .apkg link | About 1–3 minutes per deck | | AnkiWeb in-app browser | Public AnkiWeb shared decks | About 1–3 minutes per deck |

There is no daily limit on imports. Processing time depends on deck size — most decks finish in under 3 minutes.

Why Import Anki Decks Instead of Rebuilding Them?

Rebuilding hundreds or thousands of cards by hand is a major reason people stay stuck on a single tool. Studies on language learning consistently show that the strongest predictor of long-term vocabulary retention is consistency, not the app. Every hour spent rebuilding cards is an hour not spent reviewing them.

WordPlus reduces that switching cost to near zero. Your existing Anki content joins:

• the Leitner 5-box spaced repetition system;
• all five study modes (Flashcards, Player, Writing, Matching, Audio Test);
• Angry Words automatic mistake tracking;
• audio playback (TTS);
• and — new in 2026 — live AI conversation practice that can pull from your imported vocabulary.

Method 1: Import a .apkg File From Your Device

Use this if you already have .apkg files exported from Anki Desktop or AnkiDroid.

1. Open WordPlus.
2. Go to Sets → Import → Anki package.
3. Select the .apkg file from your device.
4. Wait for processing — typically 1–3 minutes per deck. Keep the window open.
5. You will see a success notification when the deck is ready.

If a set with the same name already exists, WordPlus will ask whether to Replace the existing one (this deletes its study progress and stats) or Keep both (creates a new set with a suffix).

Method 2: Import From a Direct URL

Use this if the deck is hosted somewhere as a .apkg link — for example, a shared drive, a forum attachment, or a classroom resource.

1. Open WordPlus → Import → Anki → URL.
2. Paste the direct .apkg link.
3. Tap Import.

WordPlus downloads the file server-side and processes it. The same 1–3 minute window applies.

Method 3: Download From AnkiWeb In-App

This is the fastest path for public AnkiWeb shared decks.

1. Open WordPlus → Import → Anki → Download from AnkiWeb.
2. The in-app browser opens at AnkiWeb. Find the deck you want.
3. Tap the AnkiWeb Download button.
4. WordPlus captures the download automatically, sends it for processing, and shows you the deck when it is ready.

This method bypasses the need to download the .apkg to your phone first and is the recommended workflow for browsing AnkiWeb's library of 500,000+ shared decks.

What Happens to Card Progress?

Anki and WordPlus use different scheduling systems — Anki uses SM-2 with per-card ease factors and graduating intervals, WordPlus uses the Leitner 5-box system with fixed intervals.

Because the algorithms are different, imported cards do not carry their Anki review state. Every imported card enters WordPlus at Jar 1. This sounds like a loss but in practice it works in your favour:

• Your hardest Anki cards (which were probably stuck in low-interval purgatory) get a fresh pass with WordPlus's audio and writing modes.
• Your easy cards graduate quickly through Jar 1 → Jar 2 → Jar 3.
• After 2–3 weeks of consistent use, the new schedule stabilises around your actual knowledge level.

If precise SM-2 scheduling is critical for you (for example, medical board exams), Anki may remain the better tool. For everyday vocabulary learning, the fresh Leitner pass is usually fine.

What Gets Imported and What Does Not?

| Imported | Not imported | |---|---| | Card front + back text | Anki review state (ease, interval, due date) | | Deck name | Custom card templates (HTML/CSS) | | Card order | Add-on data | | Tags (as set notes when applicable) | Subdeck hierarchy |

Cards with custom HTML/CSS templates are simplified to the standard WordPlus card format. Media (images, audio) inside .apkg files is supported but rendered in the standard layout — not in custom positions.

Common Issues and Fixes

"Please select an .apkg file." WordPlus only accepts .apkg files. If you have .colpkg (full collection), export individual decks as .apkg from Anki Desktop first (File → Export → Anki Deck Package).

Import seems stuck. Most decks complete in 1–3 minutes. Very large decks (10,000+ cards) can take longer. Keep the window open. If processing exceeds 10 minutes, retry — Anki's servers occasionally return 429 (rate limit) or 500 (cold start) errors that WordPlus retries automatically.

Duplicate deck name. WordPlus asks whether to replace the existing set or keep both. Replacing deletes study progress on the old set; keep-both creates a new set with a suffix.

AnkiWeb download fails. Some AnkiWeb decks require login. Sign in inside the in-app browser, then try the download again.

After Import: What to Do Next

Once your deck is in WordPlus, here is what we recommend:

1. Start a Memorization session. It cycles through Writing, Matching, and Audio Test until you master every word — a faster way to refresh familiar vocabulary than plain flashcards.
2. Use Angry Words. WordPlus automatically collects every word you fail into one set, so you can practise the cards that need work, not the ones you already know.
3. Try live AI conversation practice. Speak with Wordy on a topic that uses your imported vocabulary. Useful new words from the conversation become flashcards too — a workflow Anki does not natively support.
4. Compare your old and new workflow. If you are still considering whether to switch, read WordPlus vs Anki for a full feature-by-feature breakdown, or best vocabulary apps 2026 for the broader comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anki import free in WordPlus?

Yes. Anki import is part of the free WordPlus tier. There is no daily limit on the number of decks you can import.

Can I keep using Anki and WordPlus at the same time?

Yes. Many users do exactly this during the transition: WordPlus on mobile for daily review and conversation practice, Anki on desktop for specialised study (medical, kanji, custom templates). The imports are one-way — WordPlus does not push changes back to Anki.

What is the largest deck I can import?

There is no hard limit, but very large decks (10,000+ cards) take longer to process. For best performance, split very large decks into themed sub-decks in Anki first.

Does WordPlus support .colpkg files?

No, only .apkg. From Anki Desktop, export the specific deck (File → Export → Anki Deck Package) instead of the full collection.

Will my custom card templates survive the import?

No. Custom HTML/CSS/JS card templates are flattened to the standard WordPlus card format on import. If template customisation is critical, Anki remains the better tool for that specific deck.

Can I import shared decks from AnkiWeb?

Yes. The in-app AnkiWeb browser is the fastest path. Find a public deck on AnkiWeb, tap Download — WordPlus captures the file and imports it automatically.

What happens to my review history?

Cards enter WordPlus at Jar 1 of the Leitner system. Your Anki ease factors and intervals are not preserved because the scheduling algorithms differ. The new schedule stabilises around your actual knowledge level within 2–3 weeks of consistent review.