Guide · 5 min read
Which Apple Pencil works with my iPad? All 4 models compared
New iPad unboxed, old Apple Pencil fished out of the drawer, held up to the iPad … and nothing happens. No pairing, no charging, not a single stroke. It's rarely the pencil's fault: there are four different Apple Pencils, and each one only gets along with certain iPads.
At a glance
- There are four Apple Pencils: 1st generation, 2nd generation, USB-C and Pro.
- Which one works depends only on your iPad model. You'll find it under Settings → General → About.
- iPad Air from M2, iPad Pro from M4 and iPad mini from A17 Pro: only Pencil Pro or Pencil (USB-C).
- Standard iPad (10th generation and A16): Pencil (USB-C) or the 1st generation with an adapter.
- In stock at Bodinos: 1st generation (new or used) and 2nd generation (used, good condition).
2007
was the year Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone and scoffed: “Who wants a stylus?” In 2015, Apple launched the first Apple Pencil.
Which iPad do you have?
Before you choose a pencil, you need the exact name of your iPad. Open Settings → General → About. Under “Model Name” you'll see something like “iPad (9th generation)” or “iPad Air (5th generation)”.
Use this name to check the table. Pay close attention to the generation and the chip: the iPad Air (5th generation, with M1) and the iPad Air with M2 look very similar, but need different pencils.
All four pencils compared
| Feature | 1st generation | 2nd generation | USB-C | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since | 2015 | 2018 | 2023 | 2024 |
| What it looks like | round, glossy, cap with a Lightning connector underneath | matte, one flat side, no cap | matte, flat side, sliding cap with a USB-C port | matte, flat side, no cap |
| Pairing and charging | Lightning connector, with an adapter on USB-C iPads | magnetically on the side of the iPad | with a USB-C cable | magnetically on the side of the iPad |
| Pressure-sensitive | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Extras | – | double-tap | – | double-tap, squeeze, barrel roll, haptic feedback, Find My |
| Compatible iPads | iPad (6th to 10th generation), iPad (A16), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation). With the iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16) only with an adapter. | iPad Air (4th and 5th generation), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st to 4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd to 6th generation) | iPad (10th generation), iPad (A16), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch (M2, M3, M4), iPad mini (6th generation, A17 Pro), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st to 4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd to 6th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch (M4, M5) | iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch (M2, M3, M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch (M4, M5) |
Note: The 2nd generation Pencil and the Pencil Pro look almost identical. But the 2nd generation does not work with the iPad Air from M2, the iPad Pro from M4 or the iPad mini from A17 Pro. Take a close look before you buy.
Which Apple Pencil do I have? How to tell
A pencil from the drawer and no box any more? No problem, every Pencil has a giveaway:
- A cap you pull off, with a Lightning connector underneath: 1st generation, model number A1603.
- Flat side, no cap, no port: 2nd generation (A2051) or Pro (A2538). The flat side says “Pencil” on one and “Pencil Pro” on the other.
- Flat side and a cap at the end that slides back to reveal USB-C: Apple Pencil (USB-C), model number A3085.
Tip: To be completely sure, use a paired pencil. Under Settings → General → About → Apple Pencil, your iPad shows you the model number.
Four pencils, four personalities
The 1st generation is the 2015 classic. To charge it, you plug its Lightning connector into the iPad or use the adapter. It looks a bit funny, but it works. It senses pressure and tilt, so you can draw properly with it.
The 2nd generation arrived in 2018 and introduced the flat side. It sticks magnetically to the iPad, where the pencil charges and pairs by itself. A double-tap switches tools, for example from pen to eraser.
The Pencil (USB-C) from 2023 is the simple one in the family. It sticks to the iPad magnetically, but it pairs and charges with a cable. It doesn't sense pressure: great for notes and highlighting, less so for art.
The Pencil Pro from 2024 has the most extras. Give it a gentle squeeze and a tool palette opens. A gyroscope notices when you turn it and rotates shaped brush tips with it. It also gives you haptic feedback, a light tap you can feel in your hand. And if it rolls under the sofa, Find My helps you get it back.
Which one is right for you?
- Older iPad with a Home button: If it works with a pencil at all, it's the 1st generation.
- iPad Air 4 or 5, iPad mini 6, iPad Pro from 2018 to 2022: the 2nd generation. The Pencil (USB-C) fits as well, but does less.
- iPad Air from M2, iPad Pro from M4, iPad mini from A17 Pro: Pencil Pro for drawing, Pencil (USB-C) for notes.
- iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16): Pencil (USB-C) or the 1st generation with an adapter.
Tip: Do you like drawing on the iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16)? Then take a look at the 1st generation. It senses pressure, the Pencil (USB-C) doesn't. You just need the “USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter” for pairing and charging.
Apple Pencils at Bodinos
We have the 1st generation in stock new and used, and the 2nd generation used in good condition. We ship worldwide from Germany:
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Apple Pencil I have?
The quickest way is the pencil itself: a cap with a Lightning connector means 1st generation. A sliding cap with USB-C means Pencil (USB-C). A flat side with no port means 2nd generation or Pro, and the “Pencil” or “Pencil Pro” lettering tells you which. To be completely sure: pair it and check Settings → General → About → Apple Pencil.
How many years does an Apple Pencil last?
Apple doesn't give a fixed figure. The pencil has a battery inside, and like every battery it ages over time. So don't leave your Pencil flat in a drawer for months; charge it every now and then.
Does the Apple Pencil 2 work with the iPad Air with M2 or M3?
No. The iPad Air from M2 only works with the Pencil Pro and the Pencil (USB-C). The 2nd generation fits the iPad Air (4th and 5th generation).
Do I need an adapter for the iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16)?
For the 1st generation Pencil, yes: these iPads have USB-C instead of Lightning. With the “USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter” you pair and charge the pencil via the USB-C cable. The Pencil (USB-C) doesn't need an adapter.
Not sure which pencil fits your iPad? Send us the model name and we'll be happy to help. And if you ever lose an AirPod: you'll find single AirPods and charging cases in the Headphones category.