Allow export from AnkiHub for iPad users to import

[kareem]

So many people have asked about iPads in the context of having another device like a desktop or laptop in which they can sync their data with.

I run an iPad as my exclusive device after my laptop died, and decided to use just an iPad to cut down on multiple devices. I paid for the Anki app, and I am unable to install AnKing on it because there’s no way to export it from AnkiHub (at least that I can find). Even if I didn’t buy the app, there’s no way to sync AnkiHub with AnkiWeb either. Would it be possible to either reach out to the Anki folks that make the iOS app and work on a way for you to sync directly to the app, or a quicker and easier option, add the feature to export the deck from the site, so people in my position can then import it to their iPad Anki app?

The Anki App already allows for exports and imports both desktop and mobile, so it isn’t changing anything that isn’t already out there. What it does change is for those that are dedicated iPad users, would be able to use your decks since that is the only device they have.

Thank you

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You’ve run into a real limitation, and you’ve described the situation very clearly.

Right now:

• AnkiHub works only with Anki Desktop (via the add-on).
• There is no direct sync between AnkiHub ↔ AnkiWeb ↔ AnkiMobile (iOS).
• There is also no “export deck from AnkiHub website” feature that would let you download the latest synced version without going through a desktop.

So in your current setup (iPad only, no access to a computer that can run Anki Desktop), you unfortunately can’t use AnkiHub as intended, and you’re correct that there’s no supported workflow to get the AnKing deck from AnkiHub → iPad-only Anki.

Why this is the case

• The technical integration AnkiHub relies on (add-ons, local media handling, note IDs, conflict resolution, etc.) is only available on Anki Desktop, not on iOS.
• AnkiWeb currently doesn’t expose an API that would let AnkiHub safely do a three-way sync (AnkiHub ↔ AnkiWeb ↔ AnkiMobile) without risking data corruption or conflicts.

What you can do right now

If you can get even temporary access to a desktop/laptop that can run Anki Desktop:

1. Install Anki Desktop and the AnkiHub add-on.
2. Subscribe to the AnKing deck on AnkiHub and sync it to Anki Desktop.
3. Use Anki Desktop to export the deck as a .apkg file.
4. Transfer that .apkg to your iPad (AirDrop, email, cloud drive, etc.) and import into AnkiMobile.

This at least gets you a snapshot of the deck onto your iPad. You still wouldn’t be able to stay synced with AnkiHub updates without repeating this via desktop.

If you truly have no access to a computer at all, there is currently no official workaround through AnkiHub alone.

About your feature requests

You suggested two ideas:

1. Direct sync from AnkiHub → iOS app (via collaboration with AnkiMobile devs).
2. Deck export directly from the AnkiHub website so iPad-only users can import.

Both are reasonable and very helpful suggestions from a user perspective. As far as I’m aware:

• Direct integration with AnkiMobile/AnkiWeb is not available yet and would require coordination with the Anki developers and likely new infrastructure/API support.
• A web export feature from AnkiHub is also not currently offered, but your use case (iPad-only users) is exactly the type of scenario that strengthens the argument for it.

I’d recommend:

• Leaving your post as a feature request and, if possible, editing the topic title to add something like:
  Feature Request: Web export / iPad-only workflow for AnkiHub
• If an AnkiHub team member drops by this thread, they can tag it appropriately (e.g. feature-request) and provide any roadmap information they’re able to share.

Summary

• Your understanding is correct: iPad-only users can’t directly use AnkiHub right now.
• The only current path involves Anki Desktop as a bridge.
• Your suggestions (direct sync or web export) are valid and currently not implemented; they’d have to be added as new features.

If you do get temporary access to a desktop and want step-by-step help with the export → import process, reply here with what OS you’ll be using (Windows/Mac/Linux) and I can outline the exact clicks.

[MarcosZan]

Hello,

Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your experience. We really appreciate your feedback, especially regarding the need for better support for mobile-only users. We are exploring this idea with the rest of our team to see what possibilities there might be for the future.

Currently, you need to have access to a computer at least one time just to download the AnKing Step deck and sync it to AnkiWeb, so then you can download from AnkiWeb on our mobile device.