Is my iPad mini 7 compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Gen?

Will ipad mini 7 and Apple Pencil 2 work?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad mini 6, iPadOS 18

Posted on Oct 23, 2024 04:23 PM

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Posted on Oct 23, 2024 04:25 PM

That combination of iPad and Apple Pencil won't work. Click here for the list of which ones are compatible.


(256163)

15 replies

Nov 27, 2024 02:23 AM in response to AyDee67

AyDee67 wrote:

This is so unfair. Ive just bought the new iPad mini and my 2nd gen Apple Pencil doesn't work. Had I known this, I wouldn't have bought the iPad mini.



Incompatibility of the second generation Apple Pencil with the new iPad mini A17 Pro is not about being "fair' - but is instead due to necessary technical changes to the iPad.


The iPad mini's inductive charging system has been redesigned - and therefore cannot pair/charge the older second generation Pencil. The charging system for the Pencil has had to be relocated - as the iPad mini's front camera now occupies the internal cavity that was previously used for the second generation Pencil's inductive charging system. The Apple Pencil Pro - that does work with the new iPad mini - has the redesigned charging system.


If you are unhappy, assuming that you new iPad mini was purchased directly from Apple, in most countries you can unconditionally return an undamaged device for exchange or refund within 14-days of purchase.

Apr 1, 2025 02:28 PM in response to Mauriciogon1167

Mauriciogon1167 wrote:

There’s no reason the Apple Pencil 2 should not work on the new iPad. I understand selling new accessories but this was unnecessary to exclude the Apple Pencil 2 from being compatible. Shame on you Apple


Actually, there is a significant technical reason for incompatibility of the second generation Apple Pencil...


The inductive charging system has been redesigned/relocated to accommodate repositioning of the iPad's front camera. The camera now occupies the internal cavity that was previously used for the second generation Pencil's inductive charging system.


As such, with this redesign, the newer iPad's are unable to couple with the magnetically docked second generation Pencil.

Apr 2, 2025 12:19 PM in response to LotusPilot

The issue is the decision that lead to this design. It’s obvious that the redesign makes the magnetic attachments between the pencil pro and the iPad Mini 7 incompatible… the intention behind this serves one purpose, more sales for Apple. Further, the camera is on the corner of the iPad and should not be a contributing factor, let alone a justification for a simple design that would only require a little foresight into backwards compatibility,. The magnets on the iPad mini are on the middle edge, not the corners.

Now I have an iPad mini that needs a new pencil and an older iPad Pro that cannot use the Apple Pencil Pro. Form factor should dictate the “redesign” not the desire to make money. Keep in mind, there is nothing “Pro”about the iPad Mini7 other than name the chip “A17Pro”. It doesn’t have a ProMotion Display, FaceID, USC-4, LiDar…. This iPad is getting returned.

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Is my iPad mini 7 compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Gen?

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