This guide covers the best Anki clicker for Mac and how it can improve your studying experience.
In this guide:
- Anki Overview
- Why You Need an Anki Clicker
- The Best Anki Clicker for Mac
- Setup Guide for Mac
- How to Customize Your Clicker
- Benefits of Using a Clicker
Anki Overview
Anki is a powerful flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize information more effectively. It's popular among students and professionals alike for its ability to help you retain information long-term. However, using Anki on a computer can be inconvenient — you have to constantly switch between the app and your keyboard or mouse.
Why You Need an Anki Clicker
Anki clickers are designed to make using Anki more convenient and efficient. They allow you to control the app without having to touch your computer, making it easier to focus on your studies.
With an Anki clicker, you can:
- Quickly move through your flashcards
- Mark cards as easy or difficult
- Add new cards to your deck
- Stay in flow without breaking focus
The Best Anki Clicker for Mac
Study Remote (formerly Anki Remote) is widely considered the best Anki clicker for Mac users. It's a one-handed remote that lets you control Anki with ease — navigate through flashcards, answer questions, and review cards without ever having to touch your computer.
Anki Clicker Setup for Mac
Setting up Study Remote with your Mac is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Turn on your Study Remote by pressing the power button
- Open Bluetooth settings on your Mac
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button on your Study Remote until it enters pairing mode
- Select your Study Remote from the list of available devices on your Mac
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process
- Visit the quick setup guide to learn how to navigate your remote
Troubleshooting: StudyRemote not connecting or working on Mac
Setup should take under 2 minutes. If your Mac isn't cooperating, don't panic — almost every issue falls into one of the categories below.
StudyRemote isn't showing up in your Bluetooth list
- Check the LED. If it's flashing, you're in pairing mode and your Mac should see it within a few seconds. If it's solid, your remote is already paired to another device (a common one: your iPad from earlier). Power it off, then hold the power button again until it flashes to re-enter pairing mode.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and back on from your Mac's menu bar. macOS sometimes needs a nudge to refresh its device list.
- Get within 3 feet of your Mac. Bluetooth is more finicky than the spec sheets admit — backpacks, monitors, and USB 3.0 hubs all interfere.
- If you've paired it to a Mac before and it's still not showing up, go to System Settings → Bluetooth, hover over "StudyRemote" (or "Anki Remote"), click the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then re-pair from scratch.
StudyRemote pairs but the buttons don't do anything in Anki
- Make sure Anki is the active window. Study Remote sends keystrokes to whatever app is in focus — click into Anki, then try a button.
- Confirm you've installed the StudyRemote add-on (code 693153301 in Anki's add-on menu). Without it, some buttons — including the left joystick — won't do anything.
- Restart Anki after installing the add-on. Anki loads add-ons only at startup, so a fresh launch is required for the mapping to take effect.
- If a specific button isn't working, check the add-on's dropdown menu for that button — it may be unmapped or set to a function that doesn't apply on the current card type.
Everything worked, then buttons stopped after a macOS update
macOS updates occasionally reset Bluetooth permissions for paired devices. Open System Settings → Bluetooth, forget Study Remote, and re-pair from scratch. This takes 30 seconds and resolves the vast majority of post-update issues.
StudyRemote won't reconnect after sleep
If you close your MacBook lid or your Mac goes to sleep, Study Remote should reconnect automatically when you wake it — but not always. If it doesn't:
- Toggle Bluetooth off and back on from your menu bar.
- Power the remote off and back on.
- If neither works, forget the device and re-pair.
LED patterns and what they mean
- Flashing: in pairing mode, waiting for a device.
- Solid: powered on and connected.
- Slow flash or no LED at all: battery is low. Plug it in for 15 minutes and try again.
Still stuck?
Email us at info@studyremote.com with your macOS version and a description of what's happening. The team responds within a day and can usually diagnose it from a screenshot of your Bluetooth settings.
How to Customize Your Anki Clicker for Mac
To customize your Study Remote, follow these steps:
- Download the Study Remote add-on from AnkiWeb — or add code
693153301under your Anki Add-ons - Once installed, click any dropdown menu in the add-on to remap any button to your preferred function
- If a specific function isn't available, reach out at info@studyremote.com and the team will work to integrate it
Why the add-on is worth installing:
- Unlocks the left joystick — the most popular use is setting it as an Undo button
- Lets you update your button layout as your study methods evolve
- Reveals features and functions you may not know are possible
Benefits of Anki Clicker
Using an Anki clicker offers several practical benefits:
- Improved focus — control the app without touching your computer, keeping you in the zone
- Increased efficiency — move through flashcards faster without keyboard interruptions
- Reduced strain — less hand and wrist fatigue during long study sessions
What Students Are Saying
"I love it! It was super easy to set up on my Mac, and I haven't had any issues. I went from 12–14 seconds per card to around 8 seconds per card. It is a wonderful improvement." — Kendrick, Med Student
