Software to allow any Apple Pencil to pair with any Apple iPad

Question

Level 1

4 points

Software to allow any Apple Pencil to pair with any Apple iPad

Is there any news or chance that Apple will create a software that will allow any Apple Pencil to pair with any Apple iPad? I accidentally purchased an Apple Pencil 2nd Gen which apparently is not compatible with my iPad Air M2, and the store I bought from does not do return/exchange. So I am stuck with an Apple Pencil that is useless. Seems like a scam, and takes away any positive experience I have with my Apple products so far.

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jan 1, 2025 7:58 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 1, 2025 10:14 AM in response to mich211

Differences in required hardware make this literally impossible. Some pencils require the magnetic strip, others a specific port. Even the apparently similar magnetic strips have different hardware.

No amount of software can magically make hardware appear.

Sell the incompatible pencil, and buy the compatible one.

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Answer 2

Jan 2, 2025 6:07 AM in response to mich211

mich211 wrote:

It’s almost virtually impossible to re-sell the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen as the range of compatible iPad is very very limited.

False. Its no more limited than any other model.

Apple Pencil compatibility - Apple Support

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

I'm sure there''s someone on E-bay that is looking for a Second Generation Apple Pencil.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&_nkw=Second+Generation+Apple+Pencil&_sacat=0

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

153,468 points

Jan 1, 2025 9:36 AM in response to mich211

Short answer: no. A bit longer answer: we are not Apple employees. As such, no one here would have an answer to what Apple, will or will not, do regarding this or anything Apple. I doubt Apple employees can offer any insight into this either.

I suggest you submit your request directly to Apple here: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 4

mich211 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2025 7:29 PM in response to Phil0124

It’s almost virtually impossible to re-sell the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen as the range of compatible iPad is very very limited. Short of buying an iPad compatible with it, I just wasted my money on a very expensive, and very useless item. Regardless, thank you very much for giving feedback!

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