Anki App will not open (Mac)

Anki Help
1

macOS: 14.6.1

Anki: ⁨26.08.1

Issue Summary: Ever since installing and subsequently uninstalling the AnkiHub add-on via the native add-on manager on macOS, native Anki refuses to open normally. Launching the app leads to an immediate hard crash (no error pop-up, window doesn’t load).

The only way to get the app to launch on my Mac is by entering Safe Mode (holding Shift on startup) and disabling “Sync automatically on profile open/close.” Once Auto-Sync is turned off, the app opens with add-ons enabled, but manual syncing or making routine profile changes (moving decks, adding cards) triggers a complete app freeze/crash shortly after.

I am studying for the MCAT and currently at a total standstill. I cannot afford to lose my custom add-ons or my current setup.

Detailed Steps Taken & Behavior:

  1. Initial State: Prior to AnkiHub, Anki ran smoothly for 2+ weeks with multiple custom/aesthetic add-ons (including Ongiri, Vanilla Study, hours, modifications) auto-syncing across MacBook, iOS, and iPadOS seamlessly.

  2. AnkiHub Installation/Removal: Downloaded AnkiHub via their website. Noticed significant slowdowns and startup delays. Decided not to use it and deleted the add-on via Tools > Add-ons > Delete.

  3. The Crash: Immediately after deletion, Anki began crashing on launch.

  4. Safe Mode / Auto-Sync Workaround:

    • Holding Shift allows Anki to boot in Safe Mode.

    • Disabling Auto-Sync allows Anki to open normally (with add-ons active) on subsequent boots, but requires manual syncing.

  5. Profile Reconstruction Attempts:

    • Profile 2: Exported data from Profile 1 and imported into Profile 2. Auto-sync worked temporarily until I moved a deck, causing an immediate crash and returning to square one (crash on startup).

    • Profile 3: Exported to Profile 3. Auto-sync worked briefly. Added a few cards (synced fine), but after a few minutes of idling, the app hard crashed with no user input and locked up again.

Questions / Need Assistance With:

  1. Could lingering AnkiHub sync hooks/files in the Anki media or add-on directory be corrupting the startup sync sequence even after deleting the add-on UI?

  2. Is there a way to clear the local background sync cache or fix corrupt database states without wiping my installed add-ons and config files?

  3. What diagnostic logs (or Mac Console logs) should I attach to pinpoint why the sync-trigger specifically kills the process?

  4. I just want my normal, working Anki back. Before AnkiHub i had 0 problems, now it has ruined my life.

Any guidance on fixing this without doing a full nuclear reset of my add-ons would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!