Hi i need help with downloading a deck from google drive

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hi i downloaded a deck from google drive and when i tried to open the file on anki it says

Unable to read file. It probably requires a newer version of Anki to import.

My anki version is Version ⁨25.02.5 (29192d15)⁊
Python 3.9.18 Qt 6.6.2 PyQt 6.6.1

im not sure how else to get the deck

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That error usually means Anki can’t recognize the file type or the file is corrupted/not really an Anki deck.

A few quick things to check/try:

  1. Confirm the file type

    • On your computer, look at the file name you downloaded from Google Drive.
    • It must end in .apkg or .colpkg to import into Anki.
    • If it’s something like .zip, .rar, .txt, .db, or has no extension:
      • That’s not directly importable. You’d need the actual .apkg deck file from whoever shared it.

  2. Make sure Google Drive didn’t “export” it wrong

    • On Google Drive, don’t use “Open with Google Docs” or similar.
    • Right‑click the file → Download.
    • Compare the size of the file on Drive vs what you downloaded (they should match closely).

  3. Re-download and import properly

    • Delete the old downloaded file.
    • Download again directly from Google Drive as above.
    • In Anki Desktop: File → Import… → select the .apkg/.colpkg file.

  4. Double-check your Anki version

    • You’re already on a very recent version (25.02.5), so “requires newer version” is likely a generic message Anki shows when it can’t parse the file, not that your version is actually too old.

  5. If it’s an AnkiHub deck

    • Ask the person who shared the Google Drive link if the deck is also available on AnkiHub.
    • If it is, it’s much simpler and more reliable to:
      • Install the AnkiHub add‑on in Anki.
      • Subscribe to the deck on AnkiHub.
      • Sync the deck directly via AnkiHub instead of Google Drive.

To help further, can you reply with:

  • The exact file name including extension, e.g. MyDeck.apkg
  • Rough file size (e.g. 250 MB)
  • Whether this deck is supposed to be an AnkiHub deck or just a standalone shared deck?
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Hello,

I would be happy to help. :slight_smile:

AnkiHub doesn’t host any decks on GoogleDrive, unfortunately, so I’m not sure how much help we may be able to be there, I’m sorry to say

If you are having more difficulty with Anki, specifically, you might reach out over on the official Anki forums here: https://forums.ankiweb.net/

Please let me know if that answers your question, and if there’s anything else I can help with. :slight_smile:

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