Is apple pencil compatible with ipad air first generation

The Apple Pencil is a stylus designed to work with iPads, but different generations of the product work with different iPad models, making it important for users to check their device compatibility before purchasing one. The first-generation Apple Pencil was introduced in 2015 alongside the iPad Pro. It was designed for drawing, sketching, and taking notes, and also required the iPad Pro's touchscreen display to be redesigned for reduced latency and more accurate input.

The Apple Pencil 2 was launched in 2018 and brought several improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it got rid of the Lightning charging port and attaches magnetically to the side of a compatible iPad, allowing for easy storage and wireless charging. The newer Apple Pencil also supports a double-tap feature, which can be set up to switch between drawing and erasing, switching to the last-used tool, or bringing up the color palette. A small but useful design change is a flat edge, which prevents the Apple Pencil from rolling away when placed on a flat surface.

Both Apple Pencils are designed to work with various iPad lineups, including the regular, mini, Air, and Pro models. As expected, the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with older iPad models. Among the standard iPads, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth-generation models are supported. It also works with the iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (both first and second-generation models). The third-generation iPad Air and fifth-generation iPad mini are supported as well. iPad models that don't work with the Apple Pencil include the iPad mini fourth-generation and earlier, iPad fifth-generation and earlier, and first and second-generation iPad Air.

Apple Pencil 2 Works With USB-C iPads

The Apple Pencil 2 works with any iPad that has a USB-C port and a flat edge for magnetic charging. It doesn't support any of the standard iPads, but it does work with the iPad mini 6. It is also compatible with the fifth and sixth-generation iPad Air. As for the supported iPad Pro models, the Apple Pencil 2 works with the first, second, and third-generation iPad Pro 11-inch. The third, fourth and fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro also work with the newer Apple Pencil.

Unlike most Apple products that work across the brand's ecosystem of devices, the Apple Pencil has been specifically designed to work with iPads. This means that iPhone users can't use the stylus, which is a surprising omission given the popularity of Samsung's S  Pen. Apple's Mac computers don't come with touchscreen support either, so using an Apple Pencil with its laptops is out of the question, unless an iPad is being used as a secondary display.

Next: Want To Draw Perfect Shapes On Your iPhone Or iPad? Here's How To Do It

Source: Apple

While both generations of Apple Pencil offer pixel-perfect precision, tilt and pressure sensitivity, and barely noticeable lag, there are some critical differences between them. For most prospective Apple Pencil owners, one of the key concerns they encounter is compatibility.

When Apple introduced then second-generation Apple Pencil, it announced that the new pencil would not work with older iPad models. In the same vein, while the first-generation Apple Pencil works for older iPad models, it is incompatible with many later iPad models.

So, here’s a look at which Apple Pencil generation works for each iPad model.

What iPad Models Are Compatible With the Apple Pencil 1?

Priced at $99, the first-generation Apple Pencil has a smooth finish with no options for engraving. Unlike the Apple Pencil 2, the Apple Pencil 1 is incapable of wireless charging. However, there’s more than one way to charge an Apple Pencil using its lightning port.

Here are all the iPad models that are compatible with the Apple Pencil 1:

• iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch

What iPad Models Are Compatible With the Apple Pencil 2?

In 2018, Apple launched the Apple Pencil 2. Priced at $129, the second-generation Apple Pencil comes with a matte finish and free engraving. Unlike the Apple Pencil 1, the Apple Pencil 2 has a double-tap feature to change tools. For compatible iPad models, the second-generation Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad to charge.

Here are all the iPad models that are compatible with Apple Pencil 2:

• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)

Find the Right Apple Pencil for You

Before buying an Apple Pencil, make sure that it works for your particular iPad model first. To do that, go to Settings > General > About on your iPad. The first-generation Apple Pencil has been around for a while now and is still the only compatible model for many older and more affordable iPad models.

For those looking to upgrade to a newer iPad mini, iPad Pro, or iPad Air, you’ll need to purchase a new second-generation Apple Pencil to go along with it.