Apple Pencil compatibility with iPads varies widely among the four Apple Pencil models and the many compatible tablet generations.
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Since 2015, Apple has released four different models of the Apple Pencil, and not every Apple Pencil works with every iPad. This guide shows you which Apple Pencils are compatible with which iPads and vice versa.
Apple’s latest stylus, the Apple Pencil Pro, is only compatible with the iPad Air, Pro, and Mini models released in 2024 or 2025. The same recent iPad models support the Apple Pencil (USB-C), which is also backward compatible with every iPad supported by the Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
Released in 2015, the original Apple Pencil is mostly compatible with discontinued iPad models. It supports the new 11th-generation standard iPad but requires an adapter to charge.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Apple Pencil compatibility, listing Apple Pencil models in descending order of release with their respective compatible iPads.
The latest Apple Pencil model, the Apple Pencil Pro, is only compatible with the following recent tablets:
iPad Pro 11- and 13-inch 2024 (M4)
iPad Air 11- and 13-inch 2024 (M2), 2025 (M3)
iPad Mini 2024 (A17 Pro)
The Apple Pencil Pro features new squeeze and roll sensors for extra control, functionality, and haptic feedback. It is only compatible with the iPad Air, Pro, and Mini models released in 2024 or 2025.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with more iPads than any other Apple stylus, including tablets that date back to 2018:
iPad Pro 11- and 13-inch 2024 (M4)
iPad Pro 11-inch 2018 (1st gen), 2020 (2nd gen), 2021 (3rd gen), 2022 (4th gen)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2018 (3rd gen), 2020 (4th gen), 2021 (5th gen), 2022 (6th gen)
iPad Air 11- and 13-inch 2024 (M2), 2025 (M3)
iPad Air 2020 (4th gen), 2022 (5th gen)
iPad 2022 (10th gen)
iPad Mini 2024 (A17 Pro)
iPad Mini 2021 (6th gen)
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with any iPad that has a USB-C port. These days, that’s any iPad Apple sells today. It charges via USB-C, but it can still attach magnetically to your iPad. It’s a little more basic than the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, but it does support Apple’s Hover feature for the iPad Pros.
