Anki is a powerful flashcard app that has served students well for years. But if you’ve been frustrated by its dated interface, steep learning curve, or lack of motivational features, Foxxy offers a modern alternative that doesn’t sacrifice the spaced repetition engine that makes Anki effective.
This guide walks you through the complete migration process — from exporting your Anki decks to getting fully set up in Foxxy.
Why Students Switch from Anki to Foxxy
Before diving into the how, let’s talk about the why. These are the most common reasons students make the switch:
A Modern, Clean Interface
Anki’s desktop interface hasn’t changed significantly in years. It’s functional but not inviting. Foxxy is designed with modern UI principles, making daily study sessions feel more pleasant. When you’re using an app every day, how it looks and feels matters.
Simpler Setup, Same Quality
Anki’s power comes with complexity. Note types, card templates, deck options, add-ons — there’s a lot to configure before you can study effectively. Foxxy works great out of the box. The spaced repetition algorithm is pre-configured with smart defaults based on the latest research.
Gamification and Motivation
This is the biggest gap in Anki. There’s no XP, no streaks (without add-ons), no rewards. Foxxy’s gamification system — including the Fox Den, XP, and daily streaks — makes maintaining a study habit significantly easier.
Course-Oriented Organization
Anki organizes by decks and sub-decks. Foxxy adds lecture groups, course-based organization, and exam mode — features designed specifically for university students who need to align their study material with their courses and exam schedules.
Better Exam Preparation
Foxxy’s exam mode lets you set exam dates and get an optimized study plan. Anki requires manual adjustment of deck settings or third-party add-ons to achieve something similar.
Step 1: Export Your Anki Decks
The first step is getting your data out of Anki. Here’s how:
Exporting from Anki Desktop
- Open Anki on your computer
- Click on the deck you want to export (or click on the top-level item to export everything)
- Go to File > Export
- In the Export dialog:
- Export format: Choose “Anki Deck Package (.apkg)”
- Include: Select “All decks” if you want everything, or choose a specific deck
- Check “Include scheduling information” if you want to preserve your review history
- Check “Include media” if your cards have images or audio
- Click Export and save the file
Exporting Individual Decks
If you have a complex deck hierarchy and want to migrate selectively:
- Click on the specific deck you want to export
- Follow the same File > Export process
- The export will include only that deck and any sub-decks
What Gets Exported
An .apkg file contains:
- All cards and their content (front, back, extra fields)
- Media files (images, audio)
- Scheduling data (review history, intervals, due dates)
- Tags
- Note type information
Step 2: Import into Foxxy
Once you have your .apkg files, importing them into Foxxy is straightforward.
The Import Process
- Log into your Foxxy account at foxxycards.com
- Navigate to your Decks page
- Click Import Deck
- Select “Import from Anki (.apkg)”
- Upload your .apkg file
- Foxxy will analyze the file and show you a preview:
- Number of cards detected
- Number of media files
- Detected fields and how they’ll map to Foxxy cards
- Review the mapping and adjust if needed
- Click Import
Field Mapping
Anki’s note types can have any number of custom fields. Foxxy maps them as follows:
- First field -> Card front
- Second field -> Card back
- Additional fields -> Notes/extra information
- Tags -> Preserved as-is
If your Anki cards use a non-standard note type with unusual field arrangements, you can manually adjust the mapping during import.
Media Files
Images and audio files embedded in your Anki cards transfer automatically during import. Foxxy supports all common formats (PNG, JPG, GIF, MP3, WAV).
What About Scheduling Data?
When you import with scheduling information, Foxxy will use your Anki review history to estimate where each card falls in the learning process. Cards you’d already mastered in Anki won’t restart from zero — they’ll be scheduled appropriately based on their last review and interval.
However, the algorithms aren’t identical, so there may be minor differences in when cards appear. Foxxy’s algorithm will quickly calibrate to your actual performance.
Step 3: Organize Your Imported Content
After importing, take some time to organize your cards in Foxxy.
Set Up Lecture Groups
If your Anki deck was a single large collection, now is a good time to organize cards into lecture groups. This will help when you need to study specific topics or prepare for exams.
Review Tags
Anki tags transfer directly to Foxxy. Review them and consolidate if needed. Many Anki users accumulate messy tags over time — this is a good opportunity to clean up.
Check Card Quality
Migration is a natural moment to review your cards and improve them. Check our guide on creating perfect flashcards and consider:
- Are any cards too complex? Split them.
- Are questions specific enough?
- Would images help any text-only cards?
- Are there duplicate or near-duplicate cards?
Step 4: Set Up Your Study Routine
With your cards imported and organized, it’s time to set up your Foxxy study routine.
Enable Exam Mode (If Applicable)
If you have upcoming exams, set up exam mode for the relevant decks. This will optimize your review schedule for your exam dates.
Explore Gamification
One of the main reasons to switch is Foxxy’s gamification features. Take a few minutes to:
- Visit the Fox Den and meet your fox
- Check your XP and level
- Note your streak starting from today
Set a Daily Review Time
Consistency matters more than intensity. Pick a time that works for you and try to review at the same time each day. Morning reviews are popular because they’re hardest to skip.
Common Questions About Switching
Will I lose my progress?
No. Your review history transfers with the .apkg file, and Foxxy uses it to place cards at the right point in the learning curve.
Can I still use Anki alongside Foxxy?
Technically yes, but we don’t recommend it. Studying the same cards in two different systems with two different algorithms will confuse the scheduling and give you worse results. Pick one and commit.
What about Anki add-ons I rely on?
Anki’s add-on ecosystem is extensive, and there’s no direct equivalent in Foxxy. However, many popular add-ons address gaps that Foxxy handles natively:
| Anki Add-on | Foxxy Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Review heatmap | Built-in progress dashboard |
| Image occlusion | Native image support |
| Streak counter | Built-in streak system |
| Load balancer | Automatic in Foxxy’s algorithm |
| Exam countdown | Exam mode |
What if I have thousands of cards?
Foxxy handles large collections well. The import process may take a few minutes for very large decks (10,000+ cards), but once imported, performance is smooth.
Can I go back to Anki?
Foxxy supports exporting your decks, so you’re never locked in. We want you to stay because you prefer Foxxy, not because you’re trapped.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
-
Import one deck at a time. If you have many decks, start with your most important one. Get comfortable with Foxxy’s workflow before importing everything.
-
Give it two weeks. Any new app feels unfamiliar at first. Commit to using Foxxy exclusively for at least two weeks before judging. Most students who switch report preferring Foxxy after the adjustment period.
-
Explore the features Anki doesn’t have. Don’t just replicate your Anki workflow in Foxxy. Try exam mode, the Fox Den, lecture groups, and deck sharing. These features exist because students needed them.
-
Join the community. Other students who’ve made the switch can offer tips and share their experience.
-
Keep your Anki export files. Save your .apkg files as backups. You probably won’t need them, but it’s good practice.
What You Gain by Switching
Migrating from one study tool to another is an investment of time and effort. Here’s what you get in return:
- A study app you actually enjoy using. This matters more than you think. An app you enjoy opening is an app you use consistently.
- Built-in motivation. Streaks, XP, and the Fox Den keep you coming back. No add-ons required.
- University-focused features. Lecture groups, exam mode, and course-based organization are designed for how you actually study.
- A modern experience. Clean design, smooth performance, and an interface that doesn’t require a tutorial to navigate.
- All the spaced repetition power you need. Foxxy’s algorithm is based on the same cognitive science as Anki’s, with modern improvements.
The comparison between Foxxy, Anki, and Quizlet goes into more detail if you’re still weighing your options.
Ready to make the switch? Create your free Foxxy account and import your first deck today.