# How to open .anki files?

**URL:** <https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [June 9, 2026, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034 "2026-06-09T09:49:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Goravidim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@Goravidim](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Goravidim)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/1 "2026-06-09T09:49:26Z")

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Hi,

I am trying to open a probably very old file that has .anki file extension.

Is there any way to open it?

I tried looking at another topic talking about .anki2 file but I don’t think that’s the same thing.

I would really appreciate your help.

Thank you so much.

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**Author:** ![abdo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/abdo/32/654_2.png) [@abdo](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/abdo)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:15am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/2 "2026-06-09T10:15:53Z")

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There used to be an archive of older versions (I remember seeing versions older than Anki 2.0) but the link apparently broke after the website was redesigned:

> [@Downloading an older Anki version](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/downloading-an-older-anki-version/1040/2):
>
> There is an [old versions archive](https://apps.ankiweb.net/downloads/archive/). Unfortunetely, the 2.1.19 is not there. Most add-ons support 2.1.15, does that version work for the particular add-ons you rely on? If not I guess Damien could facilitate you the 2.1.19 version in question.

You can try this add-on instead: [https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/175027074](https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/175027074)

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**Author:** ![Goravidim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@Goravidim](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Goravidim)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/3 "2026-06-09T10:23:24Z")

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That’s amazing that you managed to find it so fast. Thanks so much.

I tried the add-on and it looks like now it recognises the anki file, but it shows an error when I try to import it.

It says “No module named ‘cgi’” when I try to import it.

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**Author:** ![abdo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/abdo/32/654_2.png) [@abdo](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/abdo)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 10:42am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/4 "2026-06-09T10:42:35Z")

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It looks like the add-on no longer works in Anki 25.07+

Try installing [25.02.7](https://github.com/ankitects/anki/releases/tag/25.02.7) instead. Once you successfully import the file, you can go back to the latest version.

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**Author:** ![Goravidim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@Goravidim](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Goravidim)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/5 "2026-06-09T11:19:16Z")

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Amazing. Thanks so much. It worked.

It did crash after every import (I had 15 files), but it seemed to still successfully import it.

I’m now on new version again and I am able to see it.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/how-to-open-anki-files/70034/6 "2026-07-09T11:19:55Z")

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