For history will remain the famous keynote of the first iPhone in which the legendary Steve Jobs made fun of the stylus, however, years later Apple launched the Apple Pencil for the iPad. This tool has become a fundamental element for many users and that is why in this post we will tell you which iPads are compatible with Apple Pencil and, if so, with which of the existing versions it is compatible.
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Basic information about this accessory
First of all, you should know that there are two existing Apple Pencil models. At the official level, both are called the same, although they are differentiated by the generation number to which they correspond. In the following sections, we will tell you a little more about it so that you can differentiate them. Although at first, we warn you of several aspects that they share and that is that both Apple Pencils have a multitude of functions beyond the navigation of the system itself as a pointer. There are more and more applications dedicated to the iPad that incorporate features dedicated to this accessory. Professionals who use these tablets as their main equipment have even been able to carry out a large part of their work, so its usefulness is beyond doubt.
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
The first-generation model is a stylus released in 2015 and only works with some iPads that were released at the same time or after it, without the possibility of using it on previous ones. Its internal technology and its pressure-sensitive tips allow it to work in writing or design apps as if it were a real pencil, making the user experience very similar to that of writing on paper.
It communicates via Bluetooth with the iPad, having to connect it through the Lightning port to the tablet and link it from the settings. This connection through Lightning is also used to charge it, being a somewhat controversial method due to the strange visual effect it has. And yes, it is necessary to charge it because despite having a range of several hours, it is an accessory that decreases its battery level over time. However, it is enough to connect it for a minute to have an hour of use.
In any case, the visual result that is obtained when this stylus is loaded on the tablet does not cease to be curious at the end. Jokes are usually made comparing the appearance with that of a lollipop since it is quite strange. However, you should know that there is no other way to charge it other than through that connector, although it can always be connected to another device that has a female Lightning port.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
The second-generation Apple Pencil was launched in 2018 and at the moment it is only compatible with those iPads with a modern design and a USB-C port. Visually it is smaller than the previous model, also having a flat part that is used to place it on a table without fear of it falling and being the part through which the iPad is magnetically charged.
An added functionality of this second version is that we can find various functions by double-tapping on the lower flat part of the pencil. This is very useful in design applications, where you can switch from one tool to another with that simple touch. Regarding the battery, both versions are more or less on par, although it is true that this one tends to last longer because it is usually placed on the side of the iPad and therefore it is continuously recharging.
Returning to the matter of the charging method, it considerably improves the experience of the previous one. And not only because it is aesthetically less invasive, but because in a normal way you can always be charging the Apple Pencil and thanks to this you will never run out of battery. Whether you’re not using it because you’re doing other things or because you’re carrying the iPad in a backpack or it’s just lying on a table without use.
Tablet models compatible with Apple Pencil
Originally the Apple Pencil was launched as an accessory that could only be used with the iPad Pro, but the Cupertino firm realized its potential and expanded the range of compatible devices, already being present in the entire range of its tablets. :
iPad compatibility (entry range)
- iPad (6th generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
- iPad (7th generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
- iPad (8th generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
- iPad (9th generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
iPad mini compatibility
- iPad mini (5th generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
- iPad mini (6th generation): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
iPad Air compatibility
- iPad Air (3rd generation): Compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Air (4th generation): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Air (5th generation): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
iPad Pro Compatibility
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch – 1st generation released in 2015): Compatible with first-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch – 2nd generation released in 2017): Compatible with first-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch – 3rd generation released in 2018): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch – 4th generation released in 2020): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch – 5th generation released in 2021): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch released in 2016): Compatible with first-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (10.5-inch released in 2017): Compatible with first-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (11-inch – 1st generation released in 2018): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (11-inch – 2nd generation released in 2020): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro (11-inch – 3rd generation released in 2021): Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
Other frequently asked questions
At this point, you may have some doubts about the compatibility of these styluses. In the following sections we resolve these doubts, although if you leave us a comment in the final part, we will be able to answer you and even add your question to this point if we believe it is convenient to highlight it as a possible doubt common to more users.
My iPad is not listed, why?
As you may have seen in previous sections, there are many Apple tablets that are compatible with this accessory, and, furthermore, an iPad launch is no longer perceived without it being compatible with this element. Therefore, any new iPad that comes out will be added to this list. It should be noted that if your iPad does not appear here, it is because it is not compatible with either version.
And no, there is no way to force compatibility, or at least not safely, since there have been methods that are already extinct that, in addition to being complex, put the correct operation of the device at risk. While it is true that in a certain way there should be no reason for backward compatibility, it is something that is limited by the system and in no way can be changed.
Are Apple Pencils valid for iPhones?
Regardless of whether Apple could implement it in one way or another through software, the truth is that today it is not possible to use any of the Apple Pencils on an iPhone. It has been widely rumored for years that this possibility could occur or even that a smaller version of it would be launched for the iPhone, but this has not happened and it does not seem that in the short term Apple wants to launch a mobile device that is compatible with this technology.
There are some styluses on the market that work with Apple smartphones, although in the end, these are suitable for any type of screen and not for any special compatibility. Therefore, if your idea is to buy an Apple Pencil with the aim of also using it on your iPhone, start undoing this idea because you will run into an incompatibility, since no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to synchronize both.
If it is compatible with one, can it be compatible with the other?
At first, you probably know that if an iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil, it is ruled out that it is compatible with the second. However, the biggest question comes from the other side, can the first generation be used on an iPad that is compatible with the second? The answer is no. No iPad is compatible with two of these styluses.
The reason for this is that they are not interchangeable with each other, as they are designed to work on a specific model of tablet. It is likely that this is due to a limitation via software that Apple makes preventing this compatibility and that it can really be forced, however it is not possible to do it in any way and therefore only those that we have commented on in previous sections can be used.
That is why we emphasize once again the importance of knowing the exact compatibility of your iPad. If despite having made sure that it is compatible with a model of the Pencil in question, it does not work for you, it is probably due to another reason such as not having linked them correctly or that the stylus is defective. In those cases, you should contact Apple because, of course, it has a guarantee and can be changed.
iPad compatibility with other Stylus
In addition to having the official option by Apple such as the 1st and 2nd generation Apple Pencil, we also find third-party alternatives on the market that can fulfill the function of Stylus for our iPad if the demands we have are not very demanding. . The closest option, in terms of user experience, is offered by Logitech, with its Logitech Crayon, but it is not the only one that we can choose if we want to leave the official options, since there are many stylus that are compatible with all screens as we mentioned when talking about the iPhone.
However, the fact that these accessories are compatible does not guarantee that the user experience will be the same, on the contrary, it will be really different from using an Apple Pencil. After all, Apple’s option is completely optimized and created by and for the iPad, while the rest of the stylus, except Logitech’s, seek compatibility with all screens, and therefore quality and experience will be completely different.
