User Guide

Everything you need to know to start building your Anki habit.

1. Installation

Step 1: Download the iOS App

Get AnkiLock from the App Store on your iPhone. This is where you'll track your progress and manage app blocking.

Note: AnkiLock requires iOS 16.0 or later to use the Screen Time API.

Step 2: Install the Anki Desktop Add-on

To sync your reviews from Anki to the app, you need our official add-on.

  1. Open Anki on your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux).
  2. Go to Tools > Add-ons > Get Add-ons.
  3. Enter the code: 1165281739
  4. Restart Anki to complete installation.

2. Initial Setup

Once installed, you need to pair the app with the Anki add-on.

Pairing

  1. Open the AnkiLock iOS App and create an account (or sign in).
  2. Open Anki Desktop. You should see an "AnkiLock" menu at the top.
  3. Click AnkiLock > Login.
  4. Enter the same email and password you used for the iOS app.

That's it! Your accounts are linked.

3. Core Features

Syncing Reviews

AnkiLock counts your reviews to unlock your apps. By default, the add-on attempts to sync automatically when you close a deck or sync standard Anki data.

  • Manual Sync: Click AnkiLock > Sync Now or press Ctrl + Shift + L.
  • Select Decks: Go to AnkiLock > Select Decks to choose exactly which decks count towards your goal.

Advanced: Calculate from Subdecks

This setting helps users who organize their decks in Parent/Child structures. By default, Anki caps a Subdeck's "Due" count if the Parent Deck has a limit (e.g. Parent Limit 0 means Child Limit is effectively 0).

When enabled: AnkiLock ignores the Parent's limit and sums up the actual work due in each selected Subdeck individually.

Example:
Parent (Limit 0) ➜ Subdeck A (Due 20) + Subdeck B (Due 20)
Standard: Total = 0
Advanced: Total = 40

Setting Goals

In the iOS app, the Shield represents your daily goal.

  • Review Count: Set a specific number of cards (e.g., 100 cards/day).
  • Percentage: Set to complete a % of your cards. You can choose base this on:
    • Due Cards Only: Counts only cards waiting for review.
    • All Cards: Counts New + Learning + Due cards.

Locking Apps

Select which apps to block in the "Apps" tab. When your Shield is Red (Locked), these apps will be restricted. When your Shield turns Blue (Unlocked) after hitting your goal, they open up immediately.

  • Block Schedule: Ideally, you should lock your apps 24/7 until you study. However, you can configure a "Block Schedule" in Settings (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM, Mon-Fri) if you only want restrictions during certain hours.

Awards & Progression

Consistency and hard work do not go unnoticed. As you maintain your streaks and conquer mountains of cards, you will earn unique awards to showcase your dedication.

Lach is always watching your progress—keep pushing, and you might discover what he rewards most.

Mobile Study (New Feature!)

Can't sync from your desktop? Mobile Study lets you unlock by studying directly in AnkiMobile.

How It Works

AnkiLock calculates the expected time needed to complete your remaining reviews based on your average study speed. It then monitors your actual screen time on AnkiMobile. Once your usage matches the expected study time, you can unlock your apps.

Using Mobile Study

  1. Go to Settings → Mobile Study in the AnkiLock app.
  2. Select AnkiMobile as your study app.
  3. Note the required study time displayed (e.g., "~15 minutes").
  4. Open AnkiMobile and study for that duration.
  5. Return to AnkiLock, then tap "Verify & Unlock" to check your progress.

Important: After unlocking via mobile, remember to sync your desktop Anki later. This ensures your streaks, stats, and graphs in AnkiLock stay accurate.

Note: If you have 0 reviews pending or haven't studied enough on desktop to establish a speed, the default required time is 5 minutes.

Friends & Cheers (New Feature!)

Study is better with friends! Add friends to see how they're doing on the Leaderboard.

  • Add Friends: Tap the Add Friend button and share your unique friend code.
  • Leaderboard: See who's reviewed the most cards, met their goals, or has the longest streak.
  • Send Cheers: Encourage friends who haven't hit their goal yet, or celebrate when they do!

4. Frequently Asked Questions

I reviewed on AnkiMobile. Why am I still locked?

Good news! You can now use our Mobile Study feature to unlock apps directly by studying on your phone, without needing a computer. Click here to learn how.

If you prefer the classic sync method, you can still unlock by syncing:

  1. Sync AnkiMobile to AnkiWeb.
  2. Open Anki on your computer and Sync.

Once your computer receives the reviews, AnkiLock will update automatically!

It's past midnight! Why hasn't my counter reset?

AnkiLock respects your Anki 'Next day starts at' setting. This means if you study late (e.g., 2 AM), it still counts for the 'previous' day, keeping your streak alive! The counter will reset when your Anki day officially starts (usually 4 AM). You can change this in Anki Desktop Preferences.

What if I need to urgently access an app?

You can use the Emergency Unblock feature to get 5 minutes of access. How to activate:

  1. Go to the Dashboard.
  2. Tap and HOLD the Lock icon card.
  3. Keep holding for 5 seconds until the red bar fills up.
  4. The shield will lift for 5 minutes.

I have regular periods away from my computer. How do I unlock my apps?

If you won't have access to your desktop to sync, we recommend setting a Blocking Schedule in Settings > Blocked Apps > Block Schedule.

AnkiLock will only block apps during your scheduled hours. Outside of those hours (or on days you uncheck), your apps will remain unlocked automatically, even without syncing!

New: You can also use Mobile Study to unlock your apps by studying directly on your phone with AnkiMobile. Learn more here.

How do I change my daily goal?

Go to Settings → Goal Settings in the app. You can choose between:

  • Fixed Count: A specific number of cards per day (e.g., 100 cards).
  • Percentage: A percentage of your due or total cards.

Note: Goal changes take effect the next day to prevent mid-day adjustments.

Who is Lach?

Lach is the mascot of AnkiLock! He is a clever gray fox who joins you on your study journey. As you maintain your streaks and achieve your goals, you'll see Lach evolve and grow, earning special badges along the way.

My add-on or AnkiLock is not behaving as expected.

Please check for any updates to the Anki add-on or the AnkiLock app. If the issue persists, contact support@ankilock.com.