How to Change Anki Hotkeys: A Complete Guide to Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

Anki is one of the most powerful spaced-repetition tools available, but its default keyboard shortcuts don't work for everyone. Whether you're studying on a laptop with a cramped layout, using Anki alongside other apps that conflict with its keys, or simply prefer a more ergonomic setup, changing Anki hotkeys is entirely possible — though the method depends on which version you're using and what exactly you want to reassign.

What Are Anki Hotkeys and Why Change Them?

Hotkeys (also called keyboard shortcuts) let you trigger Anki actions without reaching for your mouse. Default shortcuts cover core actions like rating cards (Again, Hard, Good, Easy), flipping cards, undoing, and navigating between decks.

Common reasons people want to change them:

• Conflicts with other software running in the background (screen recorders, productivity apps, OS-level shortcuts)
• Physical accessibility needs or repetitive strain concerns
• Preference for one-handed navigation
• Using non-standard keyboard layouts (Dvorak, Colemak, etc.)

The challenge is that Anki doesn't offer a native, built-in hotkey remapping menu in most versions. Instead, the options range from add-ons to OS-level tools — and the right path depends on your setup.

How Anki's Default Shortcuts Work

Before changing anything, it helps to understand how the defaults are structured. Anki's shortcuts are defined in its source code and, in some cases, within add-on files installed locally on your machine.

Default review shortcuts include:

These are consistent across Anki Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), but AnkiMobile (iOS) and AnkiDroid (Android) have separate, more limited customization options.

Method 1: Using an Add-On to Remap Shortcuts 🛠️

For Anki Desktop, the most practical approach for most users is installing a dedicated add-on.

The "Customize Keyboard Shortcuts" add-on (available through AnkiWeb's add-on directory) is widely used for this purpose. Once installed:

1. Go to Tools → Add-ons in the Anki menu
2. Select the shortcut customization add-on and click Config
3. A JSON configuration file opens listing actions and their assigned keys
4. Edit the key values directly and save
5. Restart Anki for changes to take effect

The JSON format means you're working with plain text — no coding knowledge required, just careful editing. A typical entry looks like:

"review answer": "Space", "review good": "g" 

Important variables to know:

• Add-on compatibility depends on your Anki version number. Add-ons built for Anki 2.1.49 may not work on 2.1.65+. Always check the add-on's compatibility notes before installing.
• Some add-ons are maintained actively; others are abandoned. An unmaintained add-on can break after an Anki update.

Method 2: Editing Source Files Directly

More technically confident users can modify Anki's shortcut definitions at the source level. Anki Desktop is largely written in Python, and shortcut assignments live within specific module files.

This approach gives the most granular control but carries real risk:

• Manual edits are overwritten when Anki updates
• Mistakes in file syntax can cause Anki to fail to launch
• You'll need to re-apply changes after every update

This method is generally suited to users comfortable navigating application package contents and editing code files — not a recommended starting point for most people.

Method 3: OS-Level Key Remapping

If add-ons aren't cooperating or you want changes that persist across all apps (not just Anki), operating system remapping tools offer an alternative.

• Windows: Tools like AutoHotkey allow you to remap keys globally or scoped to a specific application window
• macOS: Karabiner-Elements provides deep key remapping with application-specific rules
• Linux:xmodmap, xbindkeys, or desktop environment settings panels depending on your distro

With these tools, you can intercept a keypress (say, J) and have it send a different key (3) specifically when Anki is the active window. This sidesteps Anki's internal shortcut system entirely.

Trade-offs here: OS tools add another layer to maintain, and some (particularly AutoHotkey scripts) require basic scripting familiarity to configure properly.

Changing Shortcuts on AnkiMobile and AnkiDroid 📱

Mobile platforms have limited remapping support:

• AnkiMobile (iOS): Supports gesture customization and some button layout changes within Settings, but deep hotkey remapping isn't available. External keyboard shortcuts are partially supported on iPads.
• AnkiDroid (Android): Offers limited shortcut customization in Settings → Advanced, but the scope is narrower than desktop.

If keyboard efficiency is central to your workflow, Anki Desktop remains the most customizable platform by a significant margin.

The Variables That Determine Your Best Approach

No single method fits every user. The right choice shifts depending on:

• Anki version: Older versions have broader add-on compatibility; newer versions may require updated add-ons
• Operating system: macOS, Windows, and Linux each have different native remapping tools available
• Technical comfort level: JSON editing is accessible; source file modification is not
• Scope of changes: Remapping two or three keys is simpler than restructuring an entire shortcut scheme
• Whether you use mobile: Changes made on desktop won't carry over to AnkiMobile or AnkiDroid

A power user running Anki Desktop on a dedicated study machine has very different options than someone splitting study time across a MacBook and an iPhone. The add-on route covers the middle ground well, but it's not frictionless — and what works cleanly on one Anki version may need adjustment on the next.

Understanding the method options is the straightforward part. Matching the right method to your specific Anki version, operating system, and tolerance for occasional maintenance — that's where your own setup becomes the deciding factor. 🎯