Does Apple Pencil Work on iPhone? Here’s Which Devices Are Compatible

Apple’s iPad, the most dominant tablet series on the market, benefits from a robust range of accessories. Chief among these is Apple Pencil, a stylus that provides deeper and more precise interactions with iPads. But over the years, buying an Apple Pencil has become a bit of a headache.

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As of this writing, there are four different versions of the Apple Pencil available, each compatible with a different list of devices. The current Apple Pencil lineup includes the original Apple Pencil 1st generation, Apple Pencil with USB-C, Apple Pencil 2nd generationand Apple Pencil Pro. Neither works with every iPad model; some only work with a few. For example, you might consider new Apple Pencil Pro It works with any iPad Pro, but is only compatible with the latest M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air models.

Confused yet? Before analyzing which Apple Pencil works with which device, let’s answer the most curious question: You cannot use Apple Pencil with any device other than iPad. This means there is no iPhone or Mac compatibility. This is unfortunate for those looking for an input method other than their fingers, especially considering the near-universal compatibility that competitors like Samsung have amassed across their lines for styli.

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But the news isn’t all bad for iPad owners. Nearly every tablet Apple sells is compatible with Apple Pencil. The trick is to figure out which one works with your iPad model, which practically requires a spreadsheet. So, to clarify the situation, let’s look at which devices are compatible with which Apple Pencil.

As Apple continues to expand both its iPad and Apple Pencil product lines, compatibility between different models of each has become increasingly complex. There’s no “Apple Pencil to rule them all” that works with any iPad you want. Instead, you need to find which of the four Apple Pencils offered is suitable for your iPad model. It’s not as simple as which iPad you have; you also need to know the generation and screen size.

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It is compatible with iPad Mini starting with the original 1st generation Apple Pencil, but only with the 5th generation. It is also compatible with the regular iPad, but only with the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generations. Technically you can use it with the 10th generation, but only if you also purchase the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter, sold separately. It is also compatible with the 3rd generation iPad Air, as well as the 1st and 2nd generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch and 9.7-inch.

2nd generation Apple Pencil, 6th generation iPad Mini, 4th and 5th generation iPad Air, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Works with .generation iPad Pro 11 inch.

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Apple Pencil USB-C is compatible with all M4 iPad Pro sizes, as well as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation iPad Pro. It also works with both sizes of the M2 iPad Air, as well as the 4th and 5th generation iPad Air, 10th generation iPad, and 6th generation iPad Mini.

Apple Pencil Pro is the simplest. Works in both sizes M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air.

There are several differences in features and compatibility across the Apple Pencil range. Depending on what you need the pen for, you may prefer one Pen over the other. Since each Pencil’s compatibility varies by iPad series, this difference in feature sets may also affect your decision to choose a particular iPad.

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Only the Pencil Pro has new features like orientation sensitivity, haptic pinch input, and support for the Apple Find tool that lets you find your Pencil if it’s lost, like newer AirPods and iPhones. The Barrel Roll feature lets you treat the Pencil Pro more like a real pencil; this is useful for calligraphy and other art styles; Squeeze, on the other hand, lets you squeeze the Pencil near its tip to open a palette for changing tools, line weights, and colors. Meanwhile, the new haptic engine in Pencil Pro lets you know when your taps, squeezes, and other inputs are registering.

Pencil Pro and 2nd-generation Pencil support wireless pairing and charging, as well as a double-tap gesture that lets you quickly switch between multiple art tools. The original Apple Pencil has the fewest features, covering pressure and tilt sensitivity.

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Hover support is limited to Pencil Pro, Pencil 2nd generation, and Pencil USB-C, with the ability to magnetically attach to iPads with those magnets. However, the Pencil USB-C lacks pressure sensitivity, making it the only Pencil without this feature.

While all of this is a lot more complicated than it needs to be, it’s manageable and you’ll only have to deal with these on the rare occasion of purchasing a new Apple Pencil.