How to Map Undo to an Anki Remote on iPhone or iPad

On iPhone or iPad, map Undo by pairing MODI in Switch Mode, opening AnkiMobile Settings, choosing Review, then Gamepads, and assigning Undo to a button you can reach deliberately during review. Pick a control that is easy enough to press when needed, but not so central that you hit it while answering cards. MODI supplies the Bluetooth controller input; AnkiMobile decides which review action that input performs. Test the mapping on a low-stakes review before relying on it.

If MODI is not already connected to this device, use the complete MODI setup tutorial for the full pairing path, then return to the AnkiMobile gamepad screen. MODI is an independent Bluetooth accessory, not an Anki or Apple product, so the setup has two sides: the remote must present the right controller profile, and AnkiMobile must bind that input to Undo. Treat the first session after mapping as a configuration check, not a final layout before changing any daily review routine.

Mode

For iPhone and iPad, use MODI’s Switch Mode rather than the desktop Keyboard Mode workflow. Switch Mode exposes gamepad-style inputs, which is the profile AnkiMobile can configure under its Gamepads preferences when iOS recognizes the controller. To enter that mode, open Bluetooth settings, hold Y + Home for one second, and select the MODI connection. A solid blue center LED confirms a successful Switch Mode connection. After that, leave the remote in that mode for daily AnkiMobile review.

Avoid switching between Keyboard Mode and Switch Mode without clearing old Bluetooth entries first. When changing modes, forget every saved MODI or Anki remote entry in the iPhone or iPad Bluetooth settings, then repeat the connection steps for the mode you want. This matters because a saved pairing can make the remote appear connected while AnkiMobile is listening for a different input profile. If the pairing looks fresh but inputs still fail, restart the device and try again.

Placement

Undo should live on a reachable button, but not on the same button you use for Good, Again, or revealing the answer. During review, those core answer controls get repeated presses, and Undo is different because it reverses a recent action. A good placement is one you can find without hunting, while still requiring a separate thumb motion or small pause. The goal is intentional access, not making Undo as automatic as answering the card itself during reviews.

Hold MODI in the recommended vertical orientation with the D-pad facing down before deciding where Undo belongs. That orientation changes which inputs feel naturally reachable, especially if you plan to review one-handed. Press through the common answer actions first, then choose an Undo input that does not interrupt that pattern. If a button feels convenient only when you look at the remote, it may be better for a less frequent command or for no command at that time.

Mapping

Once the remote is connected in Switch Mode, open AnkiMobile and go to Settings, Review, then Gamepads. Use that screen to assign the desired review action to the input you selected for Undo. The exact list of available actions belongs to AnkiMobile, not MODI, so use the labels shown inside the app. If AnkiMobile does not react when you press the button, confirm iOS still shows the remote connected before changing more settings or remapping another control instead.

Do not assume a desktop preset or add-on layout carries over to the iPhone or iPad. MODI can use Keyboard Mode on desktop, and desktop Anki can also be extended with the optional MODI add-on, but the standard mobile setup uses Switch Mode with AnkiMobile’s own gamepad preferences. That separation is useful when troubleshooting: the remote provides the button signal, iOS recognizes the controller profile, and AnkiMobile decides what Undo means during review on that specific mobile device.

Testing

After assigning Undo, run a short test review before using the layout for a longer session. Reveal a card, choose an answer, then press the Undo button once and watch whether AnkiMobile returns to the expected previous state. Keep the test simple so you can tell whether the button is mapped correctly. If nothing happens, return to the Gamepads screen and check that the same physical input is the one assigned to Undo for the current controller profile.

Test the surrounding buttons as well, not only Undo. Press your normal reveal, answer, replay, or navigation controls in the order you expect to use them, then press Undo from the same hand position. This exposes accidental overlap that a single-button test can miss. If another action fires when you intended Undo, the issue may be the selected binding, the app’s current gamepad profile, or an old Bluetooth pairing still being reused from a previous setup attempt today.

Remapping

If you press Undo by accident during the test, remap it before building the habit into daily review. Move Undo away from high-frequency controls, especially the buttons you use for showing answers or choosing ratings. A slightly less convenient Undo button is usually easier to manage than a perfectly reachable one that you bump repeatedly. You can also leave Undo unmapped for a while if the current layout makes accidental reversals too easy on this mobile device yet.

When you remap, change one thing at a time. Pick the new Undo input, save or leave the AnkiMobile Gamepads screen according to the app’s current behavior, then repeat the same short test review. Changing several buttons at once can hide the real cause of a mistake. The point is to separate a bad Undo location from a broader connection problem, a mistaken action assignment, or a profile that was not recognized as expected during the latest pairing.

Troubleshooting

If Undo works sometimes but not consistently, check the simple states before assuming a hardware fault. Confirm the remote is awake, connected in Switch Mode, and not still paired under another saved MODI entry. Press Home to wake and reconnect in the last-used mode. If you intentionally changed modes or moved the remote from another device, forget the old entries and pair again. Bluetooth history can affect which input profile the app receives inside AnkiMobile during review sessions.

Battery and lighting can also confuse a setup check. A quickly flashing red LED means low battery, while the decorative lights can be turned off separately with the Light button double-click. Do not infer a battery percentage from an undefined LED pattern. If the remote connects after charging but AnkiMobile still ignores the mapped Undo input, restart the iPhone or iPad and try the fresh pairing again before redesigning the whole button layout or blaming the remote alone.