Which Apple Pencil does iPad Air 3 support?

Which Apple Pencil does iPad Air 3 support?

The new iPad Air (2019) uses the original Apple Pencil

With its brand new iPad Air, Apple has included support for the original Apple Pencil. The first-generation Pencil features a Lightning connector on top, underneath a removable (and frankly, highly-loseable) cap. Just plug the connector on the Pencil into the iPad Air's Lightning port, then tap "Pair" when prompted to do so on your iPad, and you're good to go. From then on, the Pencil will be connected to the iPad via Bluetooth.

The Lighting connector is also how you'll charge the Apple Pencil. You can plug it into your iPad Air when you're not using it so that the Pencil can charge. The Pencil also comes with a Lightning adapter, which has two Lightning ports, one which is plugged into by a Lightning cable, and the other which you use to plug in your Apple Pencil. This way, the Pencil can charge without having to stick out of your iPad Air.

What about the Apple Pencil (second generation)?

So far, Apple has made only one set of devices that work with the second-generation Pencil, the 2018 iPad Pro models. Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro have flat sides that accommodate a magnetic attachment point for carrying the second-generation Apple Pencil, this magnetic point also has a built-in inductive charger for the Pencil.

Including this hardware on the new iPad Air would have driven up costs for Apple, and, subsequently, the price of the new iPad for customers.

Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.