Anki Video Flashcards: The Complete Guide To Learning From YouTube Faster Than Ever – Turn Any Video Into Powerful Flashcards In Minutes
Anki video flashcards don’t have to be clunky. See how to grab key moments from lectures or YouTube, turn them into fast review cards, and skip rewatching ho...
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
So, you know how anki video flashcards let you turn parts of a video into cards you can review later? That basically means you grab key moments from lectures, YouTube videos, or tutorials and turn them into bite-sized questions and answers you can revisit with spaced repetition. It’s super useful if you’re learning from video-heavy stuff like medicine, coding, languages, or exam prep and don’t want to rewatch the same 40‑minute lecture ten times. The cool part is you can capture screenshots, timestamps, or even short notes from the video and review them way faster. Apps like Flashrecall make this whole “video to flashcard” thing way smoother than classic tools like Anki, especially on your phone.
What Are Anki Video Flashcards, Really?
Alright, let’s talk basics.
When people say anki video flashcards, they usually mean one of these:
- Flashcards that use screenshots or images from a video
- Flashcards that include a timestamp or link back to a specific moment in a video
- Flashcards that have short notes or summaries of what was said in the video
- Flashcards that include audio snippets from the video
The idea is simple:
Instead of rewatching a whole 1-hour lecture, you:
1. Watch once (or skim)
2. Capture the important bits as flashcards
3. Let spaced repetition handle the reviews so you actually remember the content
This is exactly the kind of workflow that tools like Flashrecall make super easy on iPhone and iPad:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
You don’t have to mess with clunky add-ons or weird plugins; you just grab the content and turn it into cards fast.
Why Video + Flashcards Is So Powerful
Video is great for explanations, but terrible for reviewing. You can’t scrub through an hour-long video every time you forget a detail.
Flashcards are the opposite:
- Fast to review
- Easy to repeat
- Perfect for active recall
So when you combine them:
- Videos give you understanding
- Flashcards give you memory
Example:
- You’re watching a YouTube lecture on heart physiology.
- Instead of rewatching the whole thing, you make cards like:
- “What does the SA node do?” (with a screenshot of that slide)
- “What happens in systole vs diastole?” (with a diagram from the video)
Then your app reminds you to review those at the right time. That’s exactly what Flashrecall does automatically with built-in spaced repetition and study reminders.
How People Usually Make Anki Video Flashcards (The Old Way)
If you’ve tried doing this in classic Anki, you probably know the pain:
1. Pause the video
2. Take a screenshot
3. Save it somewhere
4. Open Anki
5. Create a new card
6. Attach the screenshot
7. Type the question and answer
8. Repeat… forever
You can also use browser add-ons or YouTube extensions, but they’re often:
- Annoying to set up
- Tied to desktop only
- Not very mobile-friendly
- Break when YouTube or Anki updates
It works, but it’s clunky. Especially if you’re on iOS and want to do this on your phone or iPad.
That’s where a more modern app like Flashrecall comes in and just makes the whole process way smoother.
How Flashrecall Makes Video Flashcards Way Easier
Flashrecall is basically built for this kind of thing: pulling content from everywhere (including videos) and turning it into flashcards in seconds.
You can grab it here:
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Here’s why it works so well for “anki video flashcards” style studying:
1. Flashcards From YouTube Links
Instead of manually screenshotting, you can:
- Paste a YouTube link into Flashrecall
- Let it pull out key info and help you turn it into cards
- Edit or add your own questions on top
Perfect for:
- Lecture playlists
- Crash courses
- Tutorials (coding, design, math, whatever)
You’re basically skipping the whole “copy-paste, screenshot, format” mess.
2. Instant Cards From Images, PDFs, and Text
If you like the screenshot method, Flashrecall still makes it easier:
- Take a screenshot of a slide or diagram from the video
- Import it into Flashrecall
- Turn it into a card instantly
You can also:
- Import PDF lecture notes
- Paste text summaries
- Add audio if you want to capture pronunciation or explanations
So if your video has slides, notes, or a PDF attached, you can pull from all of that in one place.
3. Built-In Spaced Repetition (No Setup)
With Anki, you often tweak settings, decks, and intervals.
With Flashrecall:
- Spaced repetition is built-in
- You get auto reminders to review at the right time
- You don’t have to remember when to study — the app does it for you
So you can just focus on:
- Watching the video once
- Making good cards
- Letting the app handle the “when”
4. Active Recall By Default
Flashrecall is designed around active recall:
- Front of the card: question, image, or cue
- Back: answer, explanation, extra notes
For video content, that might look like:
- Front: Screenshot of a diagram → “Label this part”
- Front: “What’s the formula they used in the video for X?”
- Front: “At 12:30 in the video, what did they say about Y?”
You’re not just passively rewatching; you’re forcing your brain to pull the answer out — which is how you actually remember long term.
Flashrecall vs Classic Anki for Video Flashcards
If you’re already used to Anki, here’s a quick comparison for video-based studying:
Where Anki Is Strong
- Super customizable
- Tons of add-ons (desktop)
- Huge community decks
But for video flashcards, especially on iOS, it can be:
- Slow to create cards
- Awkward with screenshots and media
- A bit overwhelming with settings
Where Flashrecall Feels Better (Especially On iPhone/iPad)
- Fast, modern, easy to use interface
- Works great on iPhone and iPad
- Free to start
- Handles images, text, audio, PDFs, and YouTube links in one place
- Offline support so you can review anywhere
- Built-in study reminders so you don’t forget to review
And one really fun thing:
You can chat with the flashcard if you’re unsure about something. So if you’re like, “Wait, what does this term actually mean again?” you can dig deeper right in the app instead of going back to the video.
Step-By-Step: Turning a YouTube Video Into Flashcards With Flashrecall
Here’s a simple workflow you can steal:
Step 1: Pick Your Video
Choose something you actually want to remember:
- Med school lecture
- Coding tutorial
- Language listening practice
- Business, finance, marketing videos
Step 2: Watch Once With Intent
While watching, note:
- Key definitions
- Important formulas
- Diagrams
- “This will definitely be on the exam” moments
You don’t have to pause at every second — just mark mentally or jot quick notes.
Step 3: Add The Video To Flashrecall
- Paste the YouTube link into Flashrecall
- Or import screenshots / slides / PDFs related to the video
Now you’ve got the raw material inside your flashcard app.
Step 4: Create Good Question–Answer Cards
Keep cards short and focused:
- One concept per card
- Clear question on the front
- Concise answer on the back
Examples:
- Q: “What’s the difference between synchronous and asynchronous code?”
A: Short explanation, maybe a tiny example.
- Q: (Screenshot of a graph from the video)
A: “What does this graph show about supply and demand?”
- Q: “In the video, what were the 3 steps of the algorithm?”
A: List the 3 steps.
Step 5: Let Spaced Repetition Do Its Thing
Once your cards are in Flashrecall:
- Review them daily (the app will remind you)
- Rate how easy or hard each card was
- The app adjusts when you’ll see it again
You go from “I watched that video once” to “I actually remember what was in that video.”
What Subjects Work Best With Video Flashcards?
Honestly, almost anything. But here are some that really shine:
- Languages – vocab from subtitles, phrases, listening practice
- Medicine / Nursing / Biology – diagrams, processes, anatomy
- Math & Physics – problem-solving steps, formulas, visual explanations
- Programming – code patterns, commands, concepts
- Business & Finance – frameworks, formulas, definitions
- School & University – any lecture that feels “dense”
Flashrecall is great for all of this because it doesn’t care what you’re learning — it just helps you turn it into cards quickly and keeps you on track.
Tips To Make Better Video Flashcards (No Matter The App)
A few simple rules to make your “anki video flashcards” actually work:
1. Don’t Copy the Whole Slide
If you dump entire slides into cards, your brain will just glaze over. Instead:
- Turn each key idea into its own question
- Use images as prompts, not as the entire card
2. Use Your Own Words
When you type the answer, write it how you would explain it.
If you can’t explain it simply, you probably don’t fully understand it yet.
3. Mix Text + Images
Some concepts click way faster with a visual:
- Diagram + “What’s happening here?”
- Graph + “What’s the trend?”
- Screenshot of code + “What does this part do?”
Flashrecall makes it easy to add images to cards, so use that.
4. Keep Cards Short
If a card feels like an essay, break it into 2–3 smaller cards.
Why Flashrecall Is Perfect If You Like Anki Video Flashcards But Want Something Smoother
If you like the idea of Anki video flashcards but hate the friction, Flashrecall basically gives you:
- The same spaced repetition benefits
- A way easier iPhone/iPad experience
- Instant cards from images, PDFs, text, audio, and YouTube links
- Active recall built in
- Offline mode so you can study on the bus, plane, or in bad Wi‑Fi
- Study reminders so you don’t fall off
And you can try it free, so there’s not much to lose:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
If you’re already watching tons of videos to learn, turning them into flashcards is honestly one of the fastest ways to actually remember what you watch — and Flashrecall just makes that whole process way less painful.
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.
What's the best way to learn vocabulary?
Research shows that combining flashcards with spaced repetition and active recall is highly effective. Flashrecall automates this process, generating cards from your study materials and scheduling reviews at optimal intervals.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Related Articles
- Ali Abdaal Anki Skillshare: 7 Takeaways You Can Steal Today (And a Faster Way With Flashrecall)
- Anki Audio Cards: The Complete Guide To Faster Listening Practice And Better Memory – Learn How To Level Up Your Study Routine In Minutes
- Anki 2.1: The Complete Modern Alternative Guide (And The One App Most Students Don’t Know About) – Before you sink hours into tweaking Anki, read this and see how a newer app can do the hard work for you.
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

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