Apple this week introduced the new iPad with a USB-C port instead of the previous models’ Lighting port, an all-screen design featuring a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. Apple Pencil (1st generation) has a lightning port, but it is compatible with the new iPad via a new USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter that’s required for pairing and charging. The new adapter is included in the box with a new version of Apple Pencil (1st generation) for $99. For existing owners of Apple Pencil (1st generation), the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is sold separately for $9.
Your Apple Pencil plugs into one end of the adapter and the USB-C Charge Cable from your iPad plugs into the other.
While the new iPad is set to launch October 26, the adapter is already facing a 3-4 week shipping delay on Apple’s online store in the U.S. for orders placed today.
Despite being redesigned with flat edges like other iPad models, the 10th-generation iPad is not compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, likely due to the device having a new landscape FaceTime camera occupying the area where the magnetic connector would normally be for charging the second-generation Apple Pencil.
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Likely because customers ordering new iPad think they need the adapter and ordered it. If they ordered new iPad with new Apple Pencil (1st gen), Apple Pencil comes with this new USB-C version of adapter. If they already have Apple Pencil (1st gen), they previously charged it through a Lightning cable. They can keep charging it the same way and use it with new iPad. They ONLY need the separate $9 adapter IF they ready have Apple Pencil AND they don’t own any charger with Lightning cable.
So without the adapter, how do you charge it? On your phone?
If it’s new Apple Pencil (1st gen), it comes with USB-C adapter in box, just like old box came with old version of adapter for connecting to Lightning cable. If it’s an existing Apple Pencil, just continue to charge it through your Lightning cable and charger. That should cover 99% of new iPad customers. The 1% (maybe they lost the adapter or threw away all their Lightning stuff) need that separate $9 adapter.