Anki For Apple: The Best iOS Alternative To Learn Faster With Powerful Flashcards – Most People Only Know Anki, But This Apple-Friendly App Changes Everything
Anki for Apple feels clunky and dated? See why Flashrecall’s Apple-first spaced repetition, AI flashcards, and instant card creation is way smoother.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
Looking For Anki On Apple? Let’s Talk About A Better Option
If you’re searching for “Anki for Apple,” you’re probably:
- Trying to use flashcards on your iPhone or iPad
- Want something like Anki, but less clunky and more modern
- Or you’re just tired of syncing, add-ons, and confusing menus
Here’s the thing: Anki is powerful, but on Apple devices it can feel… rough. The interface is old-school, it’s not very intuitive, and AnkiMobile on iOS is a paid app that still feels dated.
If you want that same spaced repetition power but in a smoother, faster, Apple-native way, Flashrecall is honestly a way better experience for most people.
You can grab it here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Let’s break down how it compares to Anki on Apple, and how you can use Flashrecall to learn anything way faster.
Anki On Apple: Powerful, But Not Exactly Friendly
Anki’s reputation is huge, especially for med students and language learners. But when you actually try to use it on an iPhone or iPad, you’ll notice a few things:
- Clunky interface – It feels like a desktop app squeezed onto a phone.
- Steep learning curve – Deck options, card types, tags, note types… overwhelming if you just want to study.
- Paid iOS app – AnkiMobile costs money, and still doesn’t feel like a modern iOS app.
- Manual everything – Importing media, tweaking settings, backing up, syncing… it’s all on you.
If you love tweaking and customizing every little setting, Anki can be great.
But if you just want to make cards fast and start learning, there’s a smoother way.
Meet Flashrecall: An Apple-First Flashcard App That Actually Feels Modern
You can install it here on iPhone or iPad:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Here’s what makes it such a good Anki alternative for Apple users:
1. Spaced Repetition Built In (No Setup Headaches)
With Anki, you have to understand intervals, ease factor, lapses, learning steps… it’s a lot.
With Flashrecall:
- Spaced repetition is built-in and automatic
- You just rate how well you remembered, and Flashrecall schedules the next review
- You also get auto reminders, so you don’t have to remember to remember
You still get the memory benefits Anki is famous for, but without touching a single confusing setting.
2. Make Flashcards Instantly (From Pretty Much Anything)
This is where Flashrecall really pulls ahead for everyday use on Apple devices.
You can create cards from:
- 📸 Images – Take a photo of textbook pages, notes, slides, whiteboards
- 📄 PDFs – Turn your PDFs into flashcards instead of just scrolling
- 🔗 YouTube links – Turn videos into cards so you don’t forget what you watched
- 🎙️ Audio – Great for language listening practice
- ✍️ Typed prompts – Old-school manual card creation if you want full control
- 📚 Plain text – Paste notes and generate cards from them
Instead of sitting there manually typing every single fact (like in Anki), you can just:
> Snap → Highlight → Turn into flashcards → Start learning
Perfect if you’re in a lecture, reading a PDF on your iPad, or revising slides before an exam.
3. Built-In Active Recall (No Fancy Setup Needed)
The whole point of Anki is active recall: forcing your brain to pull the answer from memory.
Flashrecall bakes this in by default:
- You see a question or prompt
- You try to recall the answer from memory
- Then you reveal the answer and rate how well you knew it
Flashrecall then uses spaced repetition + your ratings to decide when to show the card again.
So you still get the science-backed learning, but it feels way more natural and less “config heavy” than Anki.
4. You Can Even Chat With Your Flashcards (Anki Definitely Doesn’t Do This)
This is one of the coolest differences.
If you’re unsure about a concept, instead of:
- Googling it
- Watching another video
- Digging through a textbook
You can literally chat with the flashcard in Flashrecall.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
Example:
- You made cards from a biology PDF
- One card says “Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis”
- You’re still confused after reading the answer
You can ask right inside the app:
> “Explain this like I’m 12”
> “Give me a simple analogy”
> “What are 3 common exam questions about this?”
It turns your flashcards into a mini tutor. Anki can’t really touch that without external tools and a lot of setup.
5. Perfect For Apple Users: Fast, Clean, And Works Offline
Flashrecall was built with Apple users in mind, so:
- It’s fast and modern, not clunky
- It feels natural on iPhone and iPad
- It works offline, so you can review on the train, plane, or bad Wi‑Fi
- It’s free to start, so you can test it without commitment
AnkiMobile works offline too, but it doesn’t feel like a 2025 app. Flashrecall actually feels like something designed for how we use phones and tablets now.
Flashrecall vs Anki On Apple: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Anki on iOS (AnkiMobile) | Flashrecall on iOS/iPadOS |
|---|---|---|
| Spaced repetition | Yes, powerful but complex settings | Yes, automatic and simple |
| Price | Paid app | Free to start |
| Card creation from images/PDFs | Manual or with plugins on desktop | Built-in: images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, text |
| Chat with flashcards | No | Yes – ask questions and get explanations |
| Interface | Old-school, not very intuitive | Clean, modern, Apple-style |
| Learning curve | Steep | Very beginner-friendly |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Power users who like tweaking | Students, professionals, and casual learners who want speed and simplicity |
What Can You Actually Learn With Flashrecall?
Basically anything you’d normally use Anki for, Flashrecall can handle — just with less friction.
Here are some ideas:
1. Languages
- Vocabulary (word on front, translation/example on back)
- Phrases and example sentences
- Audio-based listening cards
- Grammar rules with examples
You can grab screenshots from apps, textbooks, or web pages and turn them into cards in seconds.
2. Exams (School, University, Med, Law, Anything)
- Definitions, formulas, and key concepts
- Diagrams from slides or textbooks (just snap a photo)
- Case studies and high-yield facts
Flashrecall is especially good if you’re drowning in PDFs and lecture slides. Instead of rereading them endlessly, you convert the important bits into spaced repetition cards.
3. Work & Business
- Frameworks, processes, and checklists
- Product knowledge
- Interview prep or certifications
If you’re prepping for something like AWS, PMP, CFA, or company-specific training, turning your notes into flashcards will save you a ton of time.
How To Switch From Anki To Flashrecall (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t have to fully “quit” Anki if you don’t want to. You can:
1. Keep your old Anki decks for now
2. Start using Flashrecall for all new stuff
Then gradually move more of your learning into Flashrecall as you see how much faster and easier it is.
A simple way to start:
1. Install Flashrecall on your iPhone or iPad:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
2. Take a PDF or set of notes you’re currently studying
3. Use Flashrecall to generate flashcards from it
4. Spend 10–15 minutes a day reviewing with spaced repetition
5. Let the reminders nudge you so you don’t fall off
You’ll quickly notice you remember more with less effort.
Why Flashrecall Is The Better “Anki For Apple” For Most People
Anki is amazing if you:
- Love tinkering with settings
- Enjoy add-ons and custom note types
- Don’t mind a clunky UI
But if you’re on Apple devices and you just want to learn fast with minimal friction, Flashrecall is honestly a way better fit:
- Same core science (active recall + spaced repetition)
- Way easier card creation (from images, text, PDFs, YouTube, audio)
- Built-in chat so you can understand concepts, not just memorize them
- Auto reminders so you don’t break your streak
- Modern, fast, and feels at home on iPhone and iPad
- Free to start, so there’s no risk trying it
If you were searching “Anki for Apple” because you want that kind of smart studying on your iOS device, you don’t have to force yourself to like AnkiMobile.
You can just use something built for how you actually study now.
👉 Try Flashrecall here and set up your first deck in a few minutes:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Once you’ve made a few cards from your notes or PDFs, you’ll see why it’s such a nice upgrade from Anki on Apple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
Related Articles
- Anki iOS Free Alternatives: The Best Way To Study Smarter On Your iPhone In 2025 – Why Most Students Are Switching To This Powerful Flashcard App Instead
- Anki Flash Alternatives: 7 Powerful Ways To Study Faster On iPhone (Most Students Don’t Know) – Stop wrestling with clunky card decks and learn how to study way faster with smarter flashcard tools.
- Anki Flashcards Free: 7 Powerful Reasons To Try A Faster, Easier Alternative Today – Before You Waste Hours Setting Everything Up
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

FlashRecall Team
FlashRecall Development Team
The FlashRecall Team is a group of working professionals and developers who are passionate about making effective study methods more accessible to students. We believe that evidence-based learning tec...
Credentials & Qualifications
- •Software Development
- •Product Development
- •User Experience Design
Areas of Expertise
Ready to Transform Your Learning?
Start using FlashRecall today - the AI-powered flashcard app with spaced repetition and active recall.
Download on App Store