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Swiftflip

Switching from Anki

Keep spaced repetition. Gain a native Apple app.

Keep the spaced repetition you rely on, with a native Apple app and an Apple Watch you can study on.

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Study without reaching for your phone.

Due counts and a full review session on Apple Watch, synced through iCloud.
Swiftflip on Apple Watch showing 169 cards due
A Swiftflip practice card on Apple Watch

Anki works. That is why leaving it is a real decision and not an obvious one. This page sets out what Swiftflip does better on Apple devices, what carries over and where Anki is still the stronger tool.

What you keep

  • spaced repetition for daily review
  • your decks, through Anki .apkg and .colpkg import
  • an export path so your data stays portable

What you gain on Apple devices

  • a native app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch
  • private iCloud sync with no account
  • Apple features like Spotlight search, Siri, Shortcuts and Home Screen widgets

The goal is not to copy Anki in every detail. It is to make daily study easier to keep up on Apple hardware.

Swiftflip and Anki at a glance

CapabilitySwiftflipAnki
Apple Watch appYesNo
iPhone and iPadFree tierPaid app
MacYesYes
Windows, Linux and AndroidNoYes
SyncPrivate iCloud, no accountAnkiWeb account
Spaced repetitionYesYes
Anki deck import.apkg and .colpkgNative format
Study history on importStarts freshKept

Comparison checked July 2026. Anki states it has no official Apple Watch app. Anki features can change, so verify current details on the Anki website.

Where Anki is still the better choice

Swiftflip does not try to match Anki feature for feature. If your study depends on any of these, staying on Anki is the better call:

  • Tags. Swiftflip has no tag system.
  • Note types and card templates. Swiftflip cards are front and back only, with no reverse-card generation.
  • Writing cloze deletions. Swiftflip imports cloze cards from Anki but cannot author them.
  • LaTeX and MathJax. There is no maths or science notation support.
  • Add-ons. Anki has a large add-on ecosystem. Swiftflip has none.
  • Windows, Linux, Android and the web. Swiftflip is Apple only.

What to do next

Start with one deck you already know well. That makes it easy to compare review flow and device sync before you move a larger collection. Remember that scheduling starts fresh, so give the first few sessions time to settle.

The Anki import page covers the file formats and the steps.

Related guide.

Import an Anki deck

Bring Anki decks into Swiftflip from apkg or colpkg files, including images, audio and formatting, and learn what does and does not transfer.

Read guide

Frequently asked questions.

Short answers for people comparing options before choosing Swiftflip.

Does my Anki study history carry over?

No. Cards arrive fresh and scheduling starts from your first practice in Swiftflip. Your decks, cards and media come across, but the review history behind them does not.

Does Swiftflip use spaced repetition like Anki?

Yes. Difficult cards come back more often and easy cards rest, so your daily review flow stays familiar.

What does Swiftflip add over Anki on Apple devices?

A native app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, private iCloud sync with no account and Apple features like Spotlight, Siri and widgets.

Does Swiftflip support tags, cloze authoring or LaTeX?

No. Swiftflip cards are front and back with bold, italic, underline and links. Cloze deletions import from Anki but cannot be written in Swiftflip. If you rely on tags or maths notation, stay on Anki.

Is Swiftflip free?

Swiftflip is free for unlimited decks and cards. Premium is optional and adds extras like Smart Decks, Folders and AI generation.

Will I lose my data if I switch?

No. Swiftflip supports export too, so your data stays portable and you are never locked in.

Related Swiftflip topics.

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