what to know
- First generation: Plug Apple Pencil into the iPad Lightning port > click "Pair Apple Pencil" .
- USB-C: Plug in the USB-C connector > click to connect .
- Second generation and Pencil Pro: Connect the Apple Pencil to the magnetic connector on the side of the iPad.
This article explains how to pair Apple Pencil with iPad. We include Apple Pencil compatibility information because not all Apple Pencils work with all iPads.
First-generation and USB-C Apple Pencil models plug into iPad via Lightning or USB-C adapter. To pair your devices, follow these steps:
Turn on the iPad and unlock it.
You must turn on Bluetooth for your iPad. If you don't do this, a dialog box will prompt you to open it. Click Turn on when prompted or go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on.
Open the lid of your first-generation or USB-C Apple Pencil and insert it into your iPad.
Tap Pair or Connect , or tap Connect , depending on your Apple Pencil generation and iPadOS version. Apple Pencil is ready to use.
The second-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro magnetically attach to the top of the iPad.
To automatically connect any of these models to a compatible iPad, place your Apple Pencil on the wide edge of the iPad (with the magnetic strip). You'll feel it fit snugly into your iPad.
To find out which Apple Pencil models are compatible with your iPad, check out the quick look below.
The first-generation Apple Pencil works with the following iPads:
- iPad mini (fifth generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th generations)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5 inches
- iPad Pro 9.7 inches
The second generation Apple Pencil is suitable for:
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations)
- iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
USB-C Apple Pencil works with:
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
- iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
- iPad Air 11 inches (M2)
- iPad Air 13 inches (M2)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generations)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
- iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
Apple Pencil Pro works with:
- iPad Air 11 inches (M2)
- iPad Air 13 inches (M2)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
- iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
The capacitive tip on a stylus interacts with a touchscreen device in the same way that our fingertips register on the screen but our fingernails don't. So, how does the Apple Pencil work with the iPad and iPad Pro?
The iPad's screen is designed with a sensor that can detect the Apple Pencil. The Pencil itself communicates with the iPad via Bluetooth, which allows the iPad to register the pressure of the Apple Pencil and adjust accordingly. Therefore, Pencil-enabled apps will produce darker marks when you press the Pencil harder against the screen.
Apple Pencil can also detect when it's held at an angle, allowing artists to turn precise lines into eloquent strokes without having to switch to a new tool. This feature gives you more freedom when using Apple Pencil.
