How to import an Anki deck into the Keeplet app

Applies to: Android and iPhone appLast updated:

In the Keeplet app for Android and iPhone you import an Anki deck from Profile, in the Data section, with Import from Anki: you choose the text file you exported from Anki and its cards end up in a notebook called "Import Anki". Anki's decks are not recreated: the server ignores them and puts all the cards together. You need an account and an internet connection.

Before you start

  • Account. Without an account the screen shows "You need an account" with a Sign in button. If you don't have one, see Save your progress with email, Google or Apple.
  • The file. The app only reads Anki's plain-text export. In Anki choose File, then Export, format "Notes in Plain Text (*.txt)", and save the file on your phone (or somewhere your phone can reach, such as an online storage service).
  • Connection. The import runs on the Keeplet server, so it won't start offline ("No connection. Try again in a moment.").

Steps

  1. Open the Profile tab.
  2. In the Data section, tap Import from Anki.
  3. Tap Choose the file and select the .txt file you exported from Anki. The file name appears under the button. To pick a different file, tap Choose another file.
  4. Tap Import.
  5. If your account has more than one space, pick the destination in the Choose the space sheet. With only one space, the app doesn't ask.
  6. Wait for the result, for example "Imported 120 cards into 1 notebook.", and tap Go to notebooks.

What gets imported?

For each line of the file, Keeplet uses the first two fields as the question (front) and the answer (back). The columns Anki reserves for identifier, note type, deck and tags are ignored. The cards arrive as new cards to review.

  • Images are not imported.
  • Empty lines, or lines with text that is too long, are skipped. The app tells you, for example "3 cards skipped (empty or too long)."
  • The notebooks created are named "Import Anki"; beyond 250 cards the server creates more notebooks, called "Import Anki (2)", "Import Anki (3)" and so on.
  • As soon as the import finishes, the app syncs and the new notebooks appear in your notebooks list.

What are the import limits?

Limit Value
File size 2 MB at most
Cards per import 2,500 at most
Items per notebook 250
Length of question and answer 1000 characters each

If you go over a limit, the app tells you: "The file is too big (2 MB at most)." or "The file has too many cards (2,500 at most at a time)." For a large deck, split the export into several files.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import an .apkg file?

No. The app's file picker only accepts .txt files, that is Anki's "Notes in Plain Text (*.txt)" export.

What happens if I import the same file twice?

The app recognizes it and warns you: "You have already imported this file. Importing it again creates a duplicate." You can cancel or tap Import it anyway. The check applies to this phone.

Does the app remember my Anki progress?

No. Only the text of questions and answers is imported: Anki's intervals and review history don't carry over, so the cards start as new.

Can I also import a deck on the website?

Yes, the Keeplet website also has an Anki import, with the same server limits. See How to import an Anki deck into Keeplet.

Why don't I see the notebooks right away?

The app syncs by itself right after the import. If the network drops at that exact moment, the notebooks arrive at the next sync, usually when you reopen the app.

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