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Your First Session

After completing the setup, you’re ready to start using AnkiDroid Companion to review your flashcards through notifications. This guide will walk you through your first review session.
1

Select a deck

When you open AnkiDroid Companion, you’ll see a dropdown menu displaying all your AnkiDroid decks.
  1. Tap the dropdown to see your available decks
  2. Select the deck you want to study
The app will remember your last selected deck for future sessions.
private fun setDecksSpinner() {
    val items = mutableListOf<String>()
    var startIndex = 0
    var lastDeckId:Long = -1
    val deckList = mAnkiDroid.api.deckList

    val localState = mAnkiDroid.storedState
    if (localState != null) {
        lastDeckId = localState.deckId
    }
    // ... deck list is loaded and previously selected deck is restored
}
Source: ~/workspace/source/app/src/main/java/com/ankidroid/companion/MainActivity.kt:117-145
2

Tap the Refresh button

After selecting your deck, tap the Refresh button to fetch your first scheduled card.The app will:
  • Query AnkiDroid for the next card due in your selected deck
  • Store the card information locally
  • Display a notification with the card content
The Refresh button also starts a background worker that checks for new cards every 8 hours automatically.
3

Receive your first notification

A notification will appear showing your flashcard. The notification displays:
  • The question (front of the card)
  • Action buttons to answer the card
  • The deck name for context
This notification will remain persistent until you answer the card or finish the deck.
4

Answer the card

In the notification, you’ll see answer buttons (typically Again, Hard, Good, Easy - depending on your AnkiDroid settings).
  1. Think about your answer
  2. Tap the appropriate button based on how well you remembered
  3. The notification will automatically update with the next card
AnkiDroid Companion currently supports simple text cards only. Cards with complex HTML, images, or media may not display correctly.
5

Continue reviewing

Keep reviewing cards directly from the notification. You don’t need to open the app again - everything happens through the persistent notification.The app seamlessly integrates with AnkiDroid, so:
  • All reviews are recorded in AnkiDroid
  • Your scheduling and statistics remain accurate
  • No data is duplicated or stored separately

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What Happens When Your Deck Is Finished

When you’ve reviewed all scheduled cards in your deck:
1

Notification disappears

The persistent notification will automatically close since there are no more cards to review.
2

Background monitoring begins

AnkiDroid Companion starts a periodic worker that checks for new cards every 8 hours.
private fun startPeriodicWorker() {
    Log.i("BackgroundService", "startBackgroundService called from MainActivity")
    val periodicWorkRequest = PeriodicWorkRequest.Builder(
        PeriodicWorker::class.java,
        8, TimeUnit.HOURS
    ).build()
    WorkManager.getInstance(this).enqueueUniquePeriodicWork(
        "WORKER_ANKI",
        ExistingPeriodicWorkPolicy.REPLACE,
        periodicWorkRequest
    )
}
Source: ~/workspace/source/app/src/main/java/com/ankidroid/companion/MainActivity.kt:45-56
3

Wait or switch decks

You have two options:Option 1: Wait for the next notification
  • The app will automatically notify you when new cards are due (checked every 8 hours)
  • No action needed on your part
Option 2: Switch to a different deck
  • Open AnkiDroid Companion
  • Select a different deck from the dropdown
  • Tap Refresh to start reviewing that deck immediately
Future Enhancement: The 8-hour interval is currently hardcoded. Future versions of AnkiDroid Companion plan to make this configurable in the app settings.

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Tips for the Best Experience

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Keep Notifications Visible

Make sure your notification settings allow persistent notifications to stay visible. Some Android launchers or notification managers may try to auto-dismiss persistent notifications.

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Don’t Rely on Complex Cards

AnkiDroid Companion works best with:
  • Simple text-based cards
  • Short questions and answers
  • Cards without HTML formatting or media
For complex cards, you may need to open AnkiDroid directly.

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Study Regularly

The periodic check runs every 8 hours, so:
  • Morning study session: Check around breakfast time
  • Evening session: The app will have refreshed in the afternoon/evening

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You Can Always Go Back to the App

If you want to manually check for new cards or switch decks, simply open AnkiDroid Companion and tap Refresh. You don’t have to wait for the automatic 8-hour check.

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Next Steps

Now that you know the basics, explore more features:
Remember: AnkiDroid Companion is a companion app, not a replacement. All your card data, scheduling, and statistics remain in AnkiDroid where they belong.

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