# Export Anki Decks Without Losing Progress (2026 Guide)

> Progress reset after an .apkg import? Tick "Include scheduling information" in Anki's export. Step-by-step for Desktop, AnkiMobile & AnkiDroid.

HTML: https://schwankiapp.com/guides/export-anki-with-scheduling
Markdown: https://schwankiapp.com/guides/export-anki-with-scheduling.md

Schwanki · Anki Alternative · Export Guide

# How to Export Anki Decks Without Losing Your Progress (Include Scheduling Information, Explained)

By YJ Kim · Last verified: October 27, 2026 · Anki 26.09.3

**To keep your progress, tick "Include scheduling information" when exporting an Anki Deck Package (.apkg).** If you leave it unticked, Anki assumes you're sharing the deck and strips all scheduling data, including review history and marked and leech tags, so cards import as new. Also tick "Include media", or export a .colpkg, which always includes scheduling.

Already imported and everything is new? Your history isn't in the receiving app, because it was never in the file. Re-export from Anki with the box ticked (30 seconds) and import again. Sync first so the export has your latest reviews.

**Importing shared decks?** Update Anki to 26.09.4+ first. Read [Are Shared Anki Decks Safe?](https://schwankiapp.com/guides/are-shared-anki-decks-safe) for the recent critical security fixes.

## Anki Export Checkboxes Decoded

**What each Anki export option does to your review history, FSRS state, leech tags, and media (Anki 26.09.3, per docs.ankiweb.net/exporting.html)**

| Export option | Applies to | If ticked | If unticked | Effect on review history | Recommendation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Include scheduling information | .apkg (Deck Package) | Review history and scheduling are exported | Anki "will assume that you are sharing the deck with other people, and will remove the entire scheduling information, including marked and leech tags" | ✅ kept / ❌ removed | **Always tick** |
| Include media | .apkg and .colpkg | Images and audio packed into the file | Media files left out (cards may show broken images/missing audio) | No effect on history; ✅ kept / ❌ missing media | **Always tick** |
| Support older Anki versions (slower/larger files) | .apkg and .colpkg | Writes the legacy SQLite/media layout: larger, slower to export | Writes the newer zstd-compressed format used by current Anki | No effect (packaging only) | Leave **unticked** by default. Tick only if the receiving app fails to parse a modern package. |
| .colpkg (Collection Package) | Whole collection | Scheduling is **always** included | n/a | ✅ always kept | Good for moving *everything* at once |

Shared decks downloaded from AnkiWeb have no scheduling by design. The author exported them without it. No app can restore history that was never in the file.

## What Survives an .apkg / .colpkg Move Across 2026 Anki Alternatives

**What carries over when you import an Anki package (as of October 2026; based on each product's public listing/site. Verify before you switch.)**

| App | Best for | Import .apkg | Keeps history | Scheduler | Leech help |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Schwanki | **Language learners with tutors, reviewing mostly on a phone** | ✅ .apkg & .colpkg | ✅ scheduling state, review history, suspended status | FSRS v5 | ✅ 1-tap AI scenes, free sentences, native audio |
| StudyDaily | Offline-first FSRS-6 users across platforms | ✅ .apkg & .colpkg | ✅ state, due, interval, reps, lapses, FSRS-6 memory | FSRS-6 | ❌ |
| Space | General-purpose: med, STEM, languages | ✅ .apkg with history | ✅ | FSRS-6 | Partial: 7 free AI generations/mo |
| Repple | Learners who build atomic cards from PDFs | ✅ replays review log through FSRS | ✅ by replaying log | FSRS | ❌ |
| FSRS Mobile | Minimalist iPhone-only offline FSRS | ✅ via Files / Share Sheet | ✅ imports study progress | FSRS | ❌ |
| FlashSRS | Simple offline iOS basic/cloze review | ✅ supported collections (basic & cloze) | Imports supported .apkg (schema-dependent) | Spaced repetition (custom schedules in Pro) | ❌ |

Every app above still depends on you exporting with **Include scheduling information** ticked. No importer can recover history that isn't in the file.

## Why Your Anki Progress Reset (And How to Fix It in 30 Seconds)

Your history didn't get lost in the new app. It was never exported. In Anki's Deck Package export, "Include scheduling information" was unticked, so Anki removed it.

### The checkbox that keeps your history

> "If true, scheduling information such as your review history will be exported. If false, Anki will assume that you are sharing the deck with other people, and will remove the entire scheduling information, including marked and leech tags."— [Anki Manual: Exporting](https://docs.ankiweb.net/exporting.html)

### Other ways people end up with a "fresh" deck

- Imported a shared deck from AnkiWeb (exported without scheduling by design)
- Exported on a device that hadn't synced, so recent reviews are missing (partial loss, not a full reset)
- Left "Include media" unticked, so history is fine but images and audio are missing

### The 30-second fix

1. Sync Anki on all your devices
2. Go to **File → Export**
3. Tick **Include scheduling information** + **Include media**
4. Save the file
5. Re-import into your new app

**Tip:** In Schwanki, check the preview's **studied card count**. If it shows 0 studied cards for a deck you've reviewed, the file has no scheduling.

## .apkg vs .colpkg: Which Package Should You Export?

Export .apkg to move one deck (with its subdecks). Export .colpkg to move your whole collection. .colpkg always includes scheduling. .apkg only includes it if you tick the box.

### Anki Deck Package (.apkg)

Single deck + child subdecks. Requires **Include scheduling information** and **Include media** to be ticked.

**Edge case:** A file named literally `collection.apkg` from older Anki versions is actually a collection package.

### Anki Collection Package (.colpkg)

Every deck, scheduling always included. Still tick **Include media**.

⚠️ Warning

In Anki itself, importing a .colpkg **replaces your whole collection**. Schwanki accepts both file types and lets you **preview and select decks** without wiping decks you already have.

### The "Support older Anki versions" checkbox

Unticked = newer zstd-compressed format (smaller, faster). Ticked = legacy SQLite/media layout (larger, slower). It doesn't change what data is included.

**Rule:** leave it unticked; **tick it only if** an app reports it can't read the file, then re-export.

### Quick decision guide

- Trying out a new app with one deck: **.apkg**
- Moving everything: **.colpkg**
- App rejects the file: re-export with **Support older Anki versions** ticked

## Exact Platform Walkthroughs: Anki Desktop, AnkiMobile, AnkiDroid, and AnkiWeb

Whatever device you use, sync first, export with scheduling and media turned on, then pick the file in Schwanki.

### Anki Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux; Anki 26.09.3)

1. Sync with AnkiWeb
2. Open Anki and go to **File → Export**
3. Choose **Anki Deck Package (.apkg)** or **Anki Collection Package (.colpkg)**
4. Check **Include scheduling information** and **Include media**
5. Save, then select the file in Schwanki's importer

### AnkiMobile (iPhone / iPad)

1. Sync first
2. On the deck list, tap **Add/Export** at the bottom
3. Export the deck with scheduling and media included
4. Select the file in Schwanki

Deciding whether to keep AnkiMobile? Read [Schwanki vs AnkiMobile](https://schwankiapp.com/vs/ankimobile).

### AnkiDroid (Android)

1. Sync first
2. Press and hold the deck
3. Tap **Export**
4. Turn on **Include scheduling information** and **Include media**
5. Save the .apkg and select it in Schwanki

### AnkiWeb (browser account)

Schwanki **does not ask for your AnkiWeb password**. Direct AnkiWeb login isn't supported, on purpose, to protect your account.

**Workflow:** sync AnkiWeb down to Anki Desktop, AnkiMobile, or AnkiDroid, export the file there (steps above), then import it into Schwanki.

### Importing into Schwanki (what you'll see)

Upload an .apkg or .colpkg. The **preview** shows the decks in the file, **studied card count**, and **suspended card count**. Choose your decks, then import.

**Troubleshooting:**

- Studied count is 0? Re-export with scheduling
- Images missing? Re-export with media
- File won't open? Re-export with Support older Anki versions ticked

## What Happens to FSRS Intervals, Leech Tags, and Suspended Cards on Import

If the file has scheduling, Schwanki keeps each card's FSRS v5 state, review history, and suspended status. Cards you've never seen arrive gradually at 20 per day.

### FSRS state that carries over

- **Stability**: how long you're likely to remember it
- **Difficulty**: how hard the card is for you
- **Retrievability**: your current chance of remembering it
- **Reps**: number of times you've reviewed it
- **Due**: when it's next due
- **Last\_review**: when you last saw it

### Review history and suspended cards

Kept, and shown in the preview. Suspended cards stay suspended.

### Leech and marked tags

Kept only if exported with scheduling. Without it, Anki strips them (per the manual quote above).

### New (unseen) cards

Arrive at **20/day in Anki order**, so you don't get a flood on day one.

## How to Fix the "Leech" Words That Transfer Over Using Schwanki AI Scenes

Leeches are the cards you keep failing. Since your leech tags survive a scheduled export, Schwanki can surface them and give each one a memorable hook.

Learn more: [Anki alternative for language learners](https://schwankiapp.com/anki-alternative)

## Switching Apps? A Pre-Flight Checklist

- Synced on all devices
- Chose .apkg or .colpkg
- Ticked scheduling (.apkg)
- Ticked media
- Kept a backup copy of the file
- Checked studied/suspended counts in the preview

Comparing apps? See our [Anki alternative guide](https://schwankiapp.com/anki-alternative).

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Why did my Anki review history reset after importing an .apkg file?

The file was most likely exported without "Include scheduling information" ticked. According to the Anki manual, when that option is off, Anki assumes you're sharing the deck and removes all scheduling information, including review history and marked and leech tags. The receiving app can only import what's in the file. Re-export from Anki with the box ticked, then import again.

### Should I export .apkg or .colpkg to keep my progress?

Both can keep progress. An .apkg exports one deck and its subdecks, and only includes scheduling if you tick "Include scheduling information." A .colpkg exports your whole collection and always includes scheduling. Tick "Include media" for either. Note that importing a .colpkg into Anki replaces your collection, while Schwanki lets you preview and choose decks from either file type.

### What does "Support older Anki versions" do when exporting?

It writes the package in the older, larger, slower legacy format instead of the newer compressed format current Anki uses. It doesn't change which data is included. Leave it unticked by default. If another app says it can't open or read your file, re-export with this option ticked and try again.

### Will my FSRS stability and difficulty transfer to Schwanki?

Yes, if the file was exported with scheduling. Schwanki keeps each card's FSRS v5 scheduling state (stability, difficulty, retrievability, reps, due date, and last review), plus review history and suspended status. Before you import, Schwanki shows the decks in the file with studied and suspended card counts so you can confirm your progress is there.

### Can I import my decks into Schwanki by logging into AnkiWeb?

No. Schwanki doesn't ask for your AnkiWeb password, and direct AnkiWeb login isn't supported. Instead, sync AnkiWeb to Anki Desktop, AnkiMobile, or AnkiDroid, export an .apkg or .colpkg file with scheduling and media included, and select that file in Schwanki.

### Why are my images and audio missing after importing an Anki deck?

The deck was probably exported without "Include media" ticked, so the images and audio files weren't packed into it. Your review history can still be fine, since media and scheduling are separate options. Re-export from Anki with both "Include media" and "Include scheduling information" ticked, then import the new file.

## Ready to import with your progress intact?

Import your Anki deck

Learn more about Schwanki

## Related pages

Sent Migaku cards to Anki first? After you export with scheduling, compare [Schwanki and Migaku](https://schwankiapp.com/vs/migaku). Bringing tutor-lesson vocabulary instead? See [Schwanki vs Preply](https://schwankiapp.com/vs/preply).

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