IPad – Using Apple Pencil as a stylus with older unsupported iPads

apple-pencilipad

I have a bunch of old iPads lying around which are still in pretty much usable state. They are all from the era when Apple Pencil didn't exist.

I am looking to use one of them as a whiteboard in Zoom meetings so that I can draw quick diagrams in the Notes app and show them to the participants by sharing the iPad screen.

I am wondering if an Apple Pencil gen 1 or 2 can be used as a simple stylus to draw diagrams in the Notes app? I am fine as long as I can draw with the Pencil in the Notes app and none of the other Apple Pencil specific features work.

I do not have an Apple Pencil to try it out myself, but if this is something that could work, I am willing to invest into getting one (especially gen. 1 as that can be charged without an iPad).

Here are the model of iPads that I have along with the version of iOS running:

  1. iPad 2 running iOS 9.3.5

  2. iPad mini 4 running iOS 13.5

  3. iPad Air 2 running iOS 13.5

Best Answer

What devices are compatible with Apple Pencil?

The original Apple Pencil, manufactured from 2015 on with the round body design and Lightning connector is compatible with the following devices:

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

Looks like you just missed it. This table is from this Mac Rumor site.

The new pencil is compatible with only the new iPad Pros. The linked site is dated March 4th 2020 so it is very recent.

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