You've probably seen the memes. The iPad 9th generation, with its thick "forehead" and "chin" bezels and that physical home button, looks like a relic from 2017. But honestly? It’s still one of the most practical tablets Apple ever made, especially when you pair it with the right stylus. There is a specific, slightly frustrating, but ultimately rewarding relationship between the iPad 9th generation Apple Pencil setup that most people don't quite grasp until they actually try to draw a line or sign a PDF.
It’s about the 1st Gen Pencil. That’s the one with the silver cap.
If you try to buy the sleek, flat-sided 2nd Gen Pencil for this specific iPad, you’re going to have a bad time. It won't work. It won't even pair. The 9th Gen iPad is the last of its kind—the final stand for the lightning-connector ecosystem. This creates a very specific user experience that is half "wow, this digital art feels like magic" and half "why am I charging my pencil like it's a lollipop sticking out of my tablet?"
The Pairing Paradox of the iPad 9th Generation Apple Pencil
Setting this thing up is weirdly tactile. You pull off the magnetic cap on the end of the Pencil—don't lose it, seriously, they're easy to drop—and plug the Lightning connector directly into the bottom of the iPad. It looks ridiculous. Apple actually includes a tiny female-to-female adapter in the box so you can use a standard cable, but most people just "lollipop" it anyway.
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Once it's plugged in, a Bluetooth pairing prompt pops up. Tap "Pair," and you're golden.
The tech inside that 1st Gen Pencil is actually identical to the 2nd Gen in terms of pressure sensitivity. Whether you press light for a faint grey line or hard for a thick black stroke, the iPad 9th generation registers it beautifully. There’s no "lite" version of the hardware here. You get the full 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. Professional illustrators like James Jean or designers at firms like Jony Ive’s LoveFrom might use high-end Pros, but the actual silicon logic for the stroke is effectively the same here.
The screen is the real bottleneck.
Unlike the iPad Air or the Pro, the 9th Gen iPad features a non-laminated display. This is the biggest "get" for most buyers. On a laminated screen, the glass and the LCD are one piece. On the 9th Gen, there is a tiny air gap. When you touch the Apple Pencil to the glass, you can see a millimeter of space between the tip and the actual digital "ink." Does it matter? For note-taking, not really. For high-level professional digital painting? It might bug you. It also makes a hollow "thwack" sound when you tap the screen, whereas the newer iPads have a more solid, muted "tink."
Why the Apple Pencil 1st Gen Still Thrives in 2026
Despite the awkward charging, the 1st Gen Pencil remains a beast for battery life. You get about 12 hours of active use. If it dies, a 15-second charge (yes, seconds) gives you about 30 minutes of use. That's a lifesaver when you're in the middle of a lecture or a meeting and the "Low Battery" notification hits.
Let’s talk about palm rejection.
Apple’s palm rejection is still the gold standard. You can rest your hand right on the screen while you write. Cheaper $20 "knock-off" pencils you find on Amazon often struggle with this, or they lack the tilt sensitivity that the official iPad 9th generation Apple Pencil offers. If you tilt the Apple Pencil sideways, you can shade just like a real graphite pencil. Third-party styli usually can't do that. They just draw a thin line regardless of the angle.
The Paperlike Factor
If you're using this for school or work, the glass can feel a bit slippery. It's like writing with a nail on a window.
A lot of people swear by matte screen protectors, often branded as "Paperlike." They add grit. They make the iPad 9th generation feel more like a sketchbook. However, keep in mind that these protectors act like sandpaper on your Pencil tip. You will wear down the plastic nib much faster. Thankfully, Apple sells replacement tips in packs of four. Replacing them is easy—you just unscrew the old one and pop the new one on.
Real-World Limitations and the USB-C Mess
In late 2022, Apple released the 10th Gen iPad with USB-C, which made the 1st Gen Pencil even more confusing because you needed a new dongle to charge it. But on the 9th Gen? It’s simpler. It’s Lightning to Lightning.
The biggest downside is storage.
The 2nd Gen Pencil sticks magnetically to the side of the iPad. The 1st Gen Pencil? It just rolls off your desk. It’s perfectly circular. It has no clip. If you buy a case for your 9th Gen iPad, make sure it has a built-in "pencil garage" or a loop. Otherwise, you will spend 20 minutes a day digging through your backpack looking for that white plastic stick.
Actionable Tips for New Users
If you just picked up this combo, there are a few things you should do immediately to make it feel less like a "budget" experience and more like a pro tool.
First, go into your iPad Settings under Apple Pencil and turn on "Only Draw with Apple Pencil." This is a game-changer. It means your fingers can scroll and tap buttons, but only the Pencil can leave marks. It prevents those accidental "smudge" lines that happen when your pinky finger drags across the screen.
Second, download Logitech Crayon-compatible apps if you want a cheaper stylus alternative. The Logitech Crayon uses the same tech as the Apple Pencil but lacks pressure sensitivity. It's great for kids, but for anyone doing art, stick to the Apple Pencil.
Third, get a "tether" for the cap. You can find tiny silicone loops that keep the charging cap attached to the Pencil while you’re charging. It saves you from the inevitable "where did the cap go" panic.
The iPad 9th generation remains the most affordable entry point into the Apple ecosystem for artists and students. It’s the "people’s iPad." It’s reliable, it has a headphone jack (blessedly), and the Apple Pencil integration—while physically clunky—is digitally flawless.
Next Steps for Your Setup:
- Verify your iPad model in Settings > General > About to ensure it's a 9th Gen before buying the Pencil.
- Check the box of your Apple Pencil for the extra tip and the Lightning-to-Lightning adapter; they are often hidden in the paper sleeves.
- Test your tilt sensitivity in the native Notes app by using the "pencil" tool and laying the stylus flat against the glass.
- Invest in a case with a dedicated stylus slot to prevent losing the Pencil or its magnetic cap.