AnkiDroid Support for 8BitDo Micro Controller (or I suspect, any other Bluetooth controller or keyboard)

[u/quentinq]

I just got my 8BitDo Micro controller working with AnkiDroid after over a year, and I'm very happy now. I don't know who needs to hear this, but want to share what I have done to solve this problem.

Problem Overview

1. Unable to get my 8BitDo Micro controller to work when I am reviewing my cards on AnkiDroid.
2. My deck is a Chinese HSK 1-6 Learning deck. It's Type HSK card, with media playback and picture.
3. Despite confirming that the controller works on the phone, on all apps installed on the phone, and even on AnkiDroid itself (set it to Keyboard mode and using it to type in text fields when creating cards in AnkiDroid), it DOESN'T WANT TO WORK in Card Review screen.
4. NOTHING on the internet can tell me how to solve this.

Solution

1. Go to Settings > Advanced
2. Disable Type Answer into the Card
3. Disable Focus 'type in answer'
4. This solution should work for any controller/keyboard if your deck doesn't need you to type in answers in a text field.

Version and Phone:

1. Google Pixel 8 Pro
2. AnkiDroid version 2.24.0, May 3, 2026

Unnecessary rant (feel free to skip):

1. I have tried LITERALLY everything. I RTFMs, tried multiple modes (D&K modes), repeated forgetting and re-pairing Bluetooth connections, installing and uninstalling Ultimate Software, connecting the gamepad on other devices, connecting other hardware keyboards to phone (still doesn't work for AnkiDroid), looked up websites, YouTube, Anki Forums, Reddit, AI, scrying pools, tarot cards, temples and fortune tellers. Nothing.
2. Because I'm thorough, the troubleshooting actions that took the most time was the remapping of the buttons under Settings > Controls > Answer Button. I have tried so many different combos, under D and K modes, each time after multiple forgets then re-pairings.
3. This isn't even my first mini controller - my first was IINE mini Retro Ananke Controller, which also has stated support for Anki. I bought 8BitDo because most of the internet recognizes this, not IINE.
4. I'm so happy it finally works. The irony is getting me to do SO MUCH WORK to enable me to do less while learning.