Buying an iPad is usually the easy part. You pick a size, look at your bank account, and click "buy." But then you get to the accessories, and suddenly you’re staring at a digital stylus that costs a hundred bucks, wondering if it even works with the tablet you just bought. If you’re holding a 9th Gen iPad, the "budget king" that refuses to die, you have one very specific path to take.
Honestly, the Apple Pencil 9th generation iPad situation is a bit of a retro trip. While every other modern iPad has moved on to magnetic charging and "Pro" features that probably do more than most of us need, the 9th Gen iPad is the last bastion of the home button. Because of that, it’s stuck with the original Apple Pencil (1st Generation).
No, you can't use the fancy matte-finish 2nd Gen version.
No, the Apple Pencil Pro won't work either.
It’s the shiny one with the cap. The one you have to plug in like a popsicle.
Why the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is Your Only Real Choice
It feels weird to buy "old" tech, but the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is actually a beast for what it does. The 9th Gen iPad uses a Lightning port, and that’s exactly how this Pencil pairs and charges.
You take the cap off the end of the Pencil. You plug the Lightning connector directly into the bottom of the iPad. It looks ridiculous—like the iPad is growing a very long, fragile tail—but it works. This is how the Bluetooth handshake happens. Once you see the "Pair" prompt on the screen, you’re in.
The Pressure Sensitivity Factor
Most cheap "knockoff" pens you find for $20 on big retail sites miss the one thing that makes the Apple Pencil worth the money: pressure sensitivity. If you’re an artist or even just someone who likes their handwriting to look like actual handwriting, you need this.
The Apple Pencil knows if you’re pressing hard or just skimming the glass. The iPad 9th Gen doesn’t have the "laminated" display of the Air or Pro models, meaning there’s a tiny air gap between the glass and the pixels. You’ll notice it if you look closely, but for most people taking notes in a lecture or sketching in Procreate, it’s a non-issue.
Battery Life and the "Dead Pencil" Trap
Here is a specific detail that kills these Pencils: deep discharge.
The battery inside an Apple Pencil is tiny. If you leave it in a drawer for six months without charging it, there is a very high chance the battery will "flatline" and never wake up again.
I've seen dozens of people think their Pencil is broken when it's actually just chemically dead because they forgot about it. If you aren't using it, plug it into your iPad for 10 minutes once a month. It’s a literal lifesaver for your wallet.
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Setting Up Your Apple Pencil with a 9th Gen iPad
It’s basically plug-and-play, but sometimes it's "plug-and-pray."
- Check Bluetooth: If Bluetooth is off, nothing happens. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised.
- The Physical Connection: Plug the Pencil into the Lightning port.
- Wait for the Prompt: A box will pop up asking to pair. Tap it.
- Charge Check: If it doesn't pop up, the Pencil might be at 0%. Let it sit in the port for 2 minutes and try again.
If you hate the idea of the Pencil sticking out of the iPad like a kickstand, the box actually comes with a tiny female-to-female adapter. This lets you use a standard Lightning cable to charge the Pencil from a wall outlet. Just... don't lose that adapter. It's smaller than a Tic-Tac and seemingly designed to vanish into the abyss of a couch cushion.
What About the New USB-C Apple Pencil?
Apple released a "budget" USB-C Apple Pencil recently.
Avoid it for the 9th Gen iPad. Technically, it won't even work without a weird chain of adapters because the 9th Gen uses Lightning. Even if you got it connected, the USB-C version lacks pressure sensitivity. You’d be paying more for fewer features. Stick to the OG 1st Gen with the silver band around the top.
Real-World Performance: Is it Still Good in 2026?
The 9th Gen iPad isn't the fastest horse in the stable anymore, but the A13 Bionic chip still handles the Apple Pencil with zero lag. When you draw a line, it appears under the tip instantly.
For students, this is the gold standard. Using an app like GoodNotes or Notability on this setup is significantly better than any "smart" notebook or cheap Android tablet stylus. The palm rejection is nearly perfect—you can rest your hand on the screen while you write without the iPad getting confused.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you just bought an iPad 9th Gen or you're looking to upgrade your workflow, here is exactly what to do:
- Verify your model: Go to Settings > General > About and make sure it says "iPad (9th generation)."
- Buy the right Pencil: Look for the box that specifically says "Apple Pencil (1st Generation)." It should have a Lightning connector under the cap.
- Get a grip: The 1st Gen Pencil is very slick and round. It will roll off your desk. I highly recommend buying a cheap silicone sleeve or a "pencil clip" to keep it from suicidal dives off your table.
- Update your iPadOS: Make sure you're running the latest version of iPadOS to ensure the "Scribble" features (which turn handwriting into typed text) work correctly.
Once you’ve paired it, try the Notes app first. Use the "Scribble" feature in any text box to see how well it recognizes your handwriting. It’s a game-changer for filling out forms or replying to messages without pulling up the on-screen keyboard.