What is an APKG file?
An .APKG file is an Exported Anki Flashcard Deck. These files are used by Anki, a popular spaced repetition learning software originally developed by Damien Elmes. An .APKG file stores a collection of flashcards. These flashcards often contain text, images, and audio files. Under the hood, an .APKG file is a standard ZIP archive. It contains an SQLite database file alongside a folder containing the associated media assets.
How to open APKG files?
You can open an .APKG file using the official desktop Anki application. The software allows you to import the deck directly into your study profile. You can also use AnkiDroid on Android or AnkiMobile on iOS. Because the file structure relies on standard archive technology, you can rename the .APKG extension to .ZIP and extract the contents with standard archive tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
Software and tools
Developers and advanced users can interact with .APKG files programmatically. You can build or parse these decks using Python libraries like genanki. Additionally, since the core data relies on a database structure, you can inspect the extracted `.anki2` file using standard command-line tools or viewers designed for SQLite.
View .APKG files online
The viewer.online/apkg service analyzes .APKG files to identify their exact format and creator software. It shows which programs can open the file and usually previews the content. This allows you to verify the structure and contents of a flashcard deck without installing external applications.
Summary
Because .APKG files use the known ZIP format, viewer.online/apkg can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.