The Anki clicker is one of those things that sounds gimmicky until you try it. Then you wonder how you ever reviewed without one. It's a small Bluetooth remote (usually marketed as a presentation clicker or camera shutter remote) that lets you do Anki reviews without touching your phone or computer. You can review while walking, on the treadmill, cooking, commuting, or lying in bed with your phone across the room.
Medical students especially have adopted these because when you're doing 500+ reviews a day, any friction reduction matters. Taking your phone out of your pocket, unlocking it, and tapping the screen hundreds of times is surprisingly exhausting. A clicker in your palm changes the entire experience.
Here's everything you need to know: which clickers work, how to set them up, and how to program them for advanced Anki workflows.
Which Clicker to Buy
Most Anki users use one of these three options:
The Classic: Bluetooth Camera Shutter Remote (~$5-10)
The most popular option. These are tiny Bluetooth remotes originally designed to trigger phone cameras. They have two buttons (volume up and volume down on iOS, or configurable keys on Android). You can find them on Amazon by searching "Bluetooth camera remote" or "Bluetooth shutter remote."
Pros: Cheap, tiny, fits on a keychain, battery lasts months
Cons: Only 2 buttons, feels flimsy, some have connection issues
Popular models: any generic "AB Shutter 3" or similar. They're all basically the same hardware.
The Upgrade: Presentation Clicker (~$15-30)
A standard presentation remote (like you'd use for PowerPoint slides) works great with Anki. These send keyboard commands (usually arrow keys or Page Up/Page Down) that Anki can interpret.
Pros: Better build quality, more buttons (usually 4-5), longer range, more reliable connection
Cons: Bigger than camera remotes, slightly more setup needed
Good options: Logitech R400/R500, Doosl presentation clicker, or any USB dongle-based presenter.
The Fan Favorite: 8BitDo Zero 2 (~$20)
This is the one you'll see recommended in every Anki community, and for good reason. The 8BitDo Zero 2 is a tiny Bluetooth game controller (about the size of a matchbox) with a full button layout: D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R shoulder buttons, Start, and Select. That's 12+ mappable inputs in something that fits in your palm.
Why Anki users love it:
- Small enough to hide in your hand. You can review in a lecture hall and nobody knows
- Rechargeable via USB-C. No coin cell batteries to replace
- 8+ hour battery life. Lasts a full day of reviewing
- Works on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. Pairs as a standard Bluetooth gamepad
- Keyboard mode. Hold Select + R for 3 seconds to enter keyboard mode, where buttons send actual keystrokes instead of gamepad inputs. This is the mode you want for Anki
The typical 8BitDo Zero 2 Anki mapping in keyboard mode:
- A button: Space (show answer / Good)
- B button: 1 (Again)
- X button: 3 (Good, explicit)
- Y button: 4 (Easy)
- D-pad Up: 2 (Hard)
- L shoulder: Z (Undo)
- R shoulder: @ (Suspend)
You can remap these using the 8BitDo Ultimate Software app or through OS-level tools like AutoHotkey/Karabiner.
The 8BitDo Zero 2 is the default recommendation. If you only take one thing from this article, buy one of these for $20 and your review life changes immediately.
Other Programmable Remotes (~$20-40)
Beyond the 8BitDo, dedicated programmable Bluetooth buttons and other mini controllers can work. These can be mapped to any keystroke combination.
Pros: Fully customizable, can handle complex Anki workflows, multiple buttons
Cons: More setup needed, some are bulky, less community support than the 8BitDo
Basic Setup: Camera Shutter Remote
This is the setup most students use. Takes about 2 minutes.
On iPhone (AnkiMobile)
- Pair the remote: Go to Settings > Bluetooth, put the remote in pairing mode (usually hold both buttons for 3 seconds until the light flashes), and connect it
- Configure AnkiMobile: Open AnkiMobile > Settings (gear icon) > Review > Taps. AnkiMobile lets you assign actions to volume buttons:
- Volume Up: Show Answer / Good (or whatever you prefer)
- Volume Down: Again (for when you get it wrong)
- Alternative using Accessibility: If the app doesn't directly support volume buttons, go to iPhone Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control. You can map the remote's buttons to screen taps. More on this in the advanced section.
On Android (AnkiDroid)
AnkiDroid has native support for Bluetooth remotes and gamepads.
- Pair the remote: Same as any Bluetooth device
- Configure AnkiDroid: Open AnkiDroid > Settings > Reviewing > Bluetooth Keyboard. Map keys to actions:
- You can map volume up/down, arrow keys, or any key the remote sends
- Available actions: Show Answer, Again, Hard, Good, Easy, Undo, Bury, Suspend, and more
AnkiDroid is more flexible than AnkiMobile for remote configuration. You can map different buttons to different answer grades, which is ideal.
On Desktop (Anki)
Presentation clickers work out of the box on desktop because they send keyboard commands. Anki's default keyboard shortcuts:
- Space/Enter: Show answer, then rate "Good"
- 1: Again
- 2: Hard
- 3: Good
- 4: Easy
If your clicker sends arrow keys or Page Up/Down, you can remap these in Anki. More on custom key mappings below.
Programming Your Clicker: The Advanced Guide
This is where it gets interesting. A basic 2-button setup (show answer + grade) works, but power users want more control.
Remapping Keys on Desktop
Anki desktop supports custom keyboard shortcuts through the add-on system and through the config files.
Method 1: Custom Shortcuts Add-on
Install the "Customize Keyboard Shortcuts" add-on (code: 24411424). This lets you reassign any Anki action to any key. Open Tools > Add-ons > Customize Keyboard Shortcuts > Config, and you'll see a JSON file with every mappable action:
{
"reviewer show answer": "Space",
"reviewer rating 1": "1",
"reviewer rating 2": "2",
"reviewer rating 3": "3",
"reviewer rating 4": "4",
"reviewer bury card": "=",
"reviewer suspend card": "@",
"reviewer undo": "z"
}Change the key values to match whatever your clicker sends. For example, if your presentation clicker sends Right Arrow for forward and Left Arrow for back:
{
"reviewer show answer": "Right",
"reviewer rating 3": "Right",
"reviewer rating 1": "Left"
}Now Right Arrow shows the answer and rates Good, Left Arrow rates Again.
Method 2: AutoHotkey (Windows) / Karabiner (Mac)
For ultimate control, intercept the clicker's key signals at the OS level and remap them to anything.
AutoHotkey (Windows):
Create a script that runs when Anki is active:
#IfWinActive ahk_exe anki.exe
; Presentation clicker mappings
PgUp::Send, {Space} ; Forward button -> Show Answer/Good
PgDn::Send, 1 ; Back button -> Again
F5::Send, 4 ; Laser button -> Easy
Escape::Send, z ; Stop button -> Undo
#IfWinActiveSave as anki_clicker.ahk and run it. Now your presentation clicker buttons do exactly what you want in Anki.
Karabiner-Elements (Mac):
Install Karabiner-Elements (free). Create a complex modification rule in ~/.config/karabiner/karabiner.json:
{
"description": "Anki clicker mapping",
"manipulators": [
{
"type": "basic",
"from": { "key_code": "page_up" },
"to": [{ "key_code": "spacebar" }],
"conditions": [
{
"type": "frontmost_application_if",
"bundle_identifiers": ["net.ankiweb.dtop"]
}
]
},
{
"type": "basic",
"from": { "key_code": "page_down" },
"to": [{ "key_code": "1" }],
"conditions": [
{
"type": "frontmost_application_if",
"bundle_identifiers": ["net.ankiweb.dtop"]
}
]
}
]
}This only remaps the keys when Anki is the active window, so your clicker works normally in other apps.
Advanced AnkiDroid Configuration
AnkiDroid's controller mapping is the most flexible of any Anki client. Go to Settings > Reviewing > Gamepads/Controllers. You can map:
Standard buttons:
- A/B/X/Y on game controllers
- D-pad directions
- Volume keys
- Any HID input the remote sends
To Anki actions:
- Show Answer
- Flip Card
- Again (1)
- Hard (2)
- Good (3)
- Easy (4)
- Undo
- Bury Card
- Bury Note
- Suspend Card
- Suspend Note
- Mark Note
- Flag (Red/Orange/Green/Blue)
- Replay Audio
- Edit Card
Example 4-button controller mapping:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| D-pad Up | Show Answer |
| D-pad Right | Good |
| D-pad Down | Again |
| D-pad Left | Undo |
Or with a 6-button setup:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| A | Show Answer |
| B | Again |
| X | Good |
| Y | Easy |
| L | Undo |
| R | Suspend Card |
iOS Switch Control Method (Advanced)
AnkiMobile's remote support is more limited than AnkiDroid's. The workaround for full control uses iOS Accessibility features:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control
- Turn on Switch Control
- Add a new switch: Devices > Bluetooth > (your remote)
- Map each button to a screen tap location
The idea is that you map the remote buttons to tap the exact screen coordinates where Anki's answer buttons appear. It's hacky but it works. Some students use Apple Shortcuts automation for even more control.
Better iOS option: Use AnkiMobile's built-in "Scratchpad" area and gestures. You can configure swipe left/right/up/down to different actions, and some clickers can simulate swipe gestures.
Workflows: How Power Users Actually Use Clickers
The Walking Review
The most common use case. Phone in pocket, clicker in hand, AirPods in.
Setup: 2-button camera remote. Button 1 = Show Answer then Good. Button 2 = Again.
The trick: Enable audio on your cards. Anki can read cards aloud using text-to-speech (built into AnkiDroid, or via the AwesomeTTS add-on). Now you don't even need to look at your phone. You hear the question, think of the answer, click to reveal (and hear the answer), then grade yourself. Completely hands-free, eyes-free reviewing.
The Gym Session
On the treadmill or stationary bike with your phone mounted in front of you.
Setup: Clicker attached to the handlebar or held in your hand. 2 buttons is enough since you can see the screen.
Why it works: Tapping a phone screen with sweaty hands on a moving treadmill is frustrating. A physical button you can press without looking is much better.
The Commute Review
Standing on a crowded subway holding a rail with one hand, phone in the other.
Setup: Clicker on your keychain, operated with the same hand holding the phone or in a jacket pocket. One-thumb operation.
The Bed Review
Phone on the nightstand, you're lying in bed not wanting to hold anything.
Setup: Clicker under the blanket. Show answer with one button, grade with the other. Zero effort.
Troubleshooting
Remote won't connect: Most camera remotes need to be re-paired if they disconnect. Remove the device from your Bluetooth settings and pair again from scratch.
Wrong keys being sent: Some remotes have an iOS/Android switch (often toggled by holding different button combinations). Make sure it's set to the right OS.
Lag between button press and action: This is usually a Bluetooth issue. Keep the remote within a few feet of your device. Some cheap remotes have poor Bluetooth chips with noticeable latency.
Buttons do nothing in Anki: Make sure Anki is the foreground app. Some remotes send media keys that apps ignore. You may need the OS-level remapping (AutoHotkey/Karabiner) to convert them to keys Anki recognizes.
Battery dies quickly: Most camera shutter remotes use CR2032 coin cells. They should last 3-6 months with daily use. If yours dies faster, the remote might not be fully disconnecting when idle. Un-pair it when not in use, or get a remote with an on/off switch.
Is It Worth It?
If you're doing 200+ reviews a day: absolutely. A $7 camera remote turns dead time (walking, commuting, waiting) into productive review time. Med students who adopt clickers consistently report that they get through their daily reviews faster and more consistently because the friction drops so much.
If you're doing 50 reviews a day, it's nice to have but not essential.
The combination of a Bluetooth clicker and text-to-speech enabled cards is the closest you can get to fully passive Anki reviewing. You can get through hundreds of cards while doing other things, which in medical school is not a luxury but a survival strategy.
If you're looking to maximize your Anki efficiency even further, SlideToAnki generates optimized cards from your lecture slides so you can spend less time making cards and more time reviewing them, whether that's at your desk or walking across campus with a clicker in your pocket.