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The Apple Pencil is far more than just your typical touch stylist, it’s a powerful tool used by artists and writers designed to help elevate their creative work. It also serves as a great accessory to navigate your iPad with precision.
If you are thinking of purchasing an Apple Pencil, it’s important to know what model is compatible with your iPad and what features they have. In this article we will discuss how to find your iPad model and the Apple Pencil it is compatible with.
How Do i know what ipad I have?
To find out what iPad model you have, go to Setting > General
Then select, About. Here you will find the Model Name.
You can also find your iPad model by entering the serial number located on the back of the iPad on Apples coverage check available here.
What Apple pencil is compatible with my ipad?
Once you have found the Model Name, simple look at the tables below to find what Apple Pencil is compatible with your device.
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
The Apple Pencil first generation was released in November 2015, and enabled users to interact with an iPad with far greater precision than using a finger to navigate the touch screen.
Designed to be sensitive to pressure and tilt, It’s a great accessory for sketching, drawing and writing. With the Apple Pencil, artists are able to vary their shading and line depths, allowing them to produce creative work digitally without the need to scan their hand-drawn creations with a printer.
It featured a glossy weighted design to prevent any rolling, a lighting adapter, USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter and an extra replaceable tip.
Apple Pencil (1st generation) compatibility
| Apple Pencil (1st Generation) |
| iPad mini (5th generation) |
| iPad (6th generation) |
| iPad (7th generation) |
| iPad (8th generation) |
| iPad Air (3rd generation) |
| iPad Pro 9.7-inch |
| iPad Pro 10.5-inch |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) |
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
The second generation of Apple Pencil was similar in design and functionality to the first generation. Released in 2018, it had a matte finish and flat edge to help stop rolling and a feature where it could be attached to the side of the iPad through magnets that could be used for charging and pairing.
The second generation Apple Pencil also supports hover and double tap functions. Hover allows users to hold the Pencil 12mm above the surface of the display to access additional features, for example previewing thumbnails or displaying brush settings whilst illustrating.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) compatibility
| Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) |
| iPad mini (6th generation) |
| iPad Air (4th generation) |
| iPad Air (5th generation) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) |
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Apple Pencil (USB-C) was released in November 2023, as a lower cost alternative to the 2nd generation. It is priced at £79 compared to the 2nd generation Pencil at £119. It shares most of the same features of the previous two generations but without pressure sensitivity, or the ability to double-tap. It does, however, support Apple Pencil hover, available on both the M2 and M4 iPads.
This version can be magnetically attached to the side of your iPad but does not have wireless charging. Instead the Apple Pencil (USB-C) charges with a USB-C cable that connects at the top of the device. When connected to an iPad a full charge takes approximately 60 minutes or 40 minutes when connected to a Apple 20W USB-C charger.
Apple Pencil (USB-C) compatibility
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M2) |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) |
| iPad mini (6th generation) |
| iPad Air (4th generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) |
Apple Pencil Pro
In May 2024, the Apple Pencil Pro was released for £129. At the time of writing this article It is only compatible with the iPad Air 11-inch M2 and 13-inch M2, as well as the iPad Pro 11-inch M4 and 13-inch M4 models. It shares all the features of the previous generations like rolling and snap, magnetic storage and charging, pressure sensitivity, hover and double tap.
New features in the Apple Pencil Pro include a new sensor in the barrel of the pencil that allows squeeze and roll controls, and haptic feedback.
- Squeeze - Apple Pencil Pro can sense being squeezed which when using to illustrate brings up a new pallete so you can quickly switch tools, line weights and colours.
- Barrel roll - An internal gyroscope senses if the pencil rotates allowing for more precise control of shaped pens and brushes.
- Haptic feedback - When you squeeze or double tap a light pulse provides feedback of the action.
Find My is also available with the Apple Pencil Pro. If you accidentally lose your pencil you can use the Find My App to locate its precise location.
Apple Pencil Pro compatibility
| Apple Pencil Pro |
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M2) |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) |
If you are interested in purchasing an iPad, we have a great selection of refurbished models available to purchase on our website. To find out more click here.
