Apple Pencil Pro Fits Every Current iPad but the iPad (A16)

Apple Pencil Pro works with three of Apple’s four current iPads — the iPad Pro (M5), iPad Air (M4) and iPad mini (A17 Pro) — but not the iPad (A16), which takes the $79 Apple Pencil (USB-C) or the $99 1st generation. For an older iPad, the answer turns on the model, not the year: Apple’s compatibility page splits the 2nd generation, USB-C and 1st generation Pencils across different iPads, and the table below has each one.

Your iPad, and the Pencils that work with it

Apple’s compatibility page says each Pencil works “only with these iPad models”, so an iPad missing from a row’s list will not pair with that Pencil.

iPad	Apple Pencil Pro (affiliate link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)	Apple Pencil (USB-C) (affiliate link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)	2nd generation	1st generation
iPad Pro 13-inch and 11-inch (M4, M5)	Yes	Yes	No	No
iPad Air 13-inch and 11-inch (M2, M3, M4)	Yes	Yes	No	No
iPad mini (A17 Pro)	Yes	Yes	No	No
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st–4th generation)	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd–6th generation)	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Air (4th, 5th generation)	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad mini (6th generation)	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad (A16), iPad (10th generation)	No	Yes	No	Yes, with adapter
iPad (6th–9th generation)	No	No	No	Yes
iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation)	No	No	No	Yes
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd generation), 10.5-inch, 9.7-inch	No	No	No	Yes

Not sure which you have? Apple says to look in Settings › General › About › Model Name. The Pro also needs iPadOS 17.5 or later, and the USB-C model iPadOS 17.1.1 or later.

The two traps

The $129 Apple Pencil (2nd generation) fits none of Apple’s current iPads. It works with the iPad Pro 11-inch up to the 4th generation, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch up to the 6th, the iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) and the iPad mini (6th generation). An iPad Air (M2) or later, iPad Pro (M4) or later and iPad mini (A17 Pro) are not on its list, though the 2nd generation sits beside the Pro at the same $129 in Apple’s store.

Apple Pencil Pro does not work with the iPad (A16). That iPad’s options are the USB-C model and the 1st generation. The 1st generation pairs and charges through Lightning, so on the iPad (A16) and iPad (10th generation) it needs the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter, which Apple includes in the box.

If you own one Pencil and are changing iPads, check both columns: a 2nd-generation Pencil from an iPad Air (5th generation) has no place on an iPad Air (M4).

What each Pencil does

Apple sells all four. The features are the ones Apple states on its own pages; “not listed” means Apple’s page for that Pencil names its other features but not this one.

	Apple Pencil Pro (affiliate link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)	Apple Pencil (USB-C) (affiliate link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)	2nd generation	1st generation
US list price	$129	$79	$129	$99
Pressure sensitivity	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Tilt sensitivity	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hover	Yes	Yes, on some iPads	iPad Pro 11-inch (4th gen), 12.9-inch (6th gen)	Not listed
Double tap	Yes	No	Yes	Not listed
Squeeze, barrel roll, haptic feedback	Yes	No	Not listed	Not listed
Find My	Yes	No	Not listed	Not listed
Pairing and charging	Magnetic, on the side of iPad	USB-C cable; magnet holds it for storage	Magnetic, on the side of iPad	Lightning (adapter on USB-C iPads)

The USB-C model is the one without pressure sensitivity. Apple’s comparison marks it “not compatible” for pressure, double tap, squeeze, barrel roll, haptic feedback, Find My and wireless pairing and charging. It does have tilt and hover, and it is the only Pencil on Apple’s list for every USB-C iPad: 24 models, from the iPad (10th generation) to the iPad Pro (M5).

Apple’s own 2023 launch release for the USB-C model drew the line the same way: it said the 1st generation “supports pressure sensitivity” and the 2nd generation adds “support for pressure, the double-tap gesture, and Apple Pencil hover” on iPad Pro models with M2.

Hover depends on the iPad as well as the Pencil

Hover, which previews where the tip will land, needs a supported iPad. Apple’s Pencil page lists the iPad Pro (M4 and M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), iPad Air (M2, M3 and M4) and iPad mini (A17 Pro). Its pages disagree at the edges: the USB-C Pencil’s tech specs list hover iPads without the iPad Air (M4) or iPad mini (A17 Pro), and the Pro’s specs page leaves out the iPad Air (M4). If hover is why you are buying, the iPad Pro (M4 or M5) and iPad Air (M2 or M3) are on every list we read.

Which one to buy

On a current iPad Pro, iPad Air or iPad mini, the choice is between the Pro at $129 and the USB-C model at $79, and the difference is the feature table above: pressure, double tap, squeeze and magnetic charging on one side, $50 on the other. Apple pitches the USB-C model at “taking notes, sketching, marking up documents, journaling”; if you draw in an app that responds to pressure, that is the feature the $50 buys.

On the iPad (A16), it is the USB-C model or the 1st generation, which costs $20 more and adds pressure sensitivity but charges through an adapter.

On iPadOS, the Batteries widget shows the Pencil’s charge alongside your other devices — how to see battery percentage on iPhone, iPad and Android. Choosing the iPad itself? The iPad (A16) is also the current iPad left out of Apple Intelligence: which iPads get iPadOS 27 and Siri AI. And how the iPad Air scores against other tablets in published reviews covers the rest of the decision.

Questions people ask

Which Apple Pencil do I need for my iPad?

Find your iPad in the table on this page. As a rule of thumb from Apple’s lists: iPad Pro (M4 or M5), iPad Air (M2 or later) and iPad mini (A17 Pro) take the Pencil Pro or the USB-C model; older USB-C Pros, Airs and minis take the 2nd generation or USB-C; Lightning iPads take the 1st generation.

Does Apple Pencil 2 work with the iPad Air M2 or M3?

No. Apple’s compatibility page lists the 2nd generation for the iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) only. The iPad Air (M2), (M3) and (M4) take Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C).

Which Apple Pencil works with the iPad (A16)?

Apple Pencil (USB-C), $79, or Apple Pencil (1st generation), $99, which needs the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter included in its box. Apple Pencil Pro and the 2nd generation are not on Apple’s list for the iPad (A16).

What is the difference between Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C?

Apple’s comparison gives the Pro pressure sensitivity, double tap, squeeze, barrel roll, haptic feedback, Find My and magnetic pairing and charging. The USB-C model has none of those, pairs and charges by cable, and costs $79 against $129. Both have tilt and hover.

Does the Apple Pencil USB-C have pressure sensitivity?

No. Apple’s own comparison marks pressure sensitivity as not available on Apple Pencil (USB-C). Of the four Pencils Apple sells, the Pro, the 2nd generation and the 1st generation have it.

Which Apple Pencil works with the iPad 9th generation?

Only the 1st generation, on Apple’s list. The iPad (9th generation) has a Lightning port, and Apple pairs and charges the 1st-generation Pencil through Lightning, with no adapter needed.