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Hi, I have a 5th generation iPad and have just downloaded a drawing software, I’m looking to buy a pencil to use with it (not the Apple Pencil) but I have read the Apple Pencil will not work with iPads unless they are Pro’s, would this be the same with other pencils?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad, iOS 13
Here is a link to Apple’s compatibility document. If you iPad is not among the supported models, you’ll obviously not be able to use an Apple Pencil as your iPad lacks the required screen-hardware to support its use.
https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-pencil/select/
There are alternatives...
The Logitech Crayon, for example, is an alternative to the Apple Pencil - but only works with Apple-pencil compatible iPads. So if your iPad doesn’t support an Apple Pencil, then it doesn’t support the Logitech Crayon either.
This leaves us with third-party Bluetooth Styli - of which there are a few manufacturers. The only manufacturer that seems to be favoured here is Adonit - who have various models from which to choose. You need to be aware that this option is only of use where Apps provide explicit Stylus support.
Our resident Community expert, MichelPM, will doubtless be along shortly to share his extensive knowledge of Adonit Stylus and compatible Apps.
Here is a link to Apple’s compatibility document. If you iPad is not among the supported models, you’ll obviously not be able to use an Apple Pencil as your iPad lacks the required screen-hardware to support its use.
https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-pencil/select/
There are alternatives...
The Logitech Crayon, for example, is an alternative to the Apple Pencil - but only works with Apple-pencil compatible iPads. So if your iPad doesn’t support an Apple Pencil, then it doesn’t support the Logitech Crayon either.
This leaves us with third-party Bluetooth Styli - of which there are a few manufacturers. The only manufacturer that seems to be favoured here is Adonit - who have various models from which to choose. You need to be aware that this option is only of use where Apps provide explicit Stylus support.
Our resident Community expert, MichelPM, will doubtless be along shortly to share his extensive knowledge of Adonit Stylus and compatible Apps.
The ONLY third party, smart Bluetooth stylus that I can, honestly, recommend that actually works well with any iPad is the Adonit Pixel smart, Bluetooth stylus.
https://www.adonit.net/jot/pixel/
This smart, Bluetooth stylus works across a wide range of iDevices.
The Bluetooth connection is stable and its Bluetooth pressure sensing technology is very smooth, natural feeling and has consistent line drawing ability.
Plus it's a quality made, aluminum stylus with two programmable buttons.
I have been using this stylus for well over two years now and it is really good on my iPad Pro.
This stylus works wonderfully for me.
The Adonit Pixel works with iPads all the way back to the 2012, 1st gen iPad Mini and iPad 4th generation!
Has ON/OFF/app shortcut buttons.
Has a nice fine, textured pen tip AND a nice rubber grip.
Magnetically charges, has an auto 15 minute shutdown feature ( to preserve battery life ), charges in a hour, or so.
Has both a small USB charger that that plugs into any USB charging block OR you can purchase an optional charging dock.
I find it only lasts for anywhere between 9-12 hours, but Adonit claims up to 16 hours of continuous use on a single charge cycle.
Made of very high quality aluminum materials.
The Adonit Pixel ONLY works with over a dozen of the major/popular drawing/sketching/painting apps (the Pixel works with, but currently no longer “officially” supported with Procreate, but it still works and works pretty well in Procreate ), and over a half dozen of the popular note taking apps, a half dozen writing apps and about a half dozen PDF style/compatible apps.
You WILL have to perform some pairing and setup parameters in each of the Adonit Pixel compatible apps.
You just DO NOT simply turn on Bluetooth on an iDevice and turn on the Adonit stylus and start writing.
The Adonit Pixel stylus is NOT an Apple Pencil in this regard/respect.
You have to initially Bluetooth pair the Adonit Pixel, setup the hand/palm position and in many apps, set up the stylus screen pressure sensitivity for each and every compatible app!
Once you have, initially, done all of this, all Adonit Pixel compatible apps will remember these settings for future use!
Some Adonit Pixel users claimed their stylus doesn’t work, but it does work well IF you properly know how to set up the Adonit Pixel!
If interested, to make sure you get the latest installed stylus firmware, you must order the Adonit Pixel stylus directly from the Adonit website, when possible and available.
Here’s my “up to date”, comprehensive, but still incomplete, list of Adonit Pixel compatible apps for the iPad/iPad Pro.
Most apps listed support screen pressure sensing and palm rejection.
Compatible Adonit Pixel apps for drawing
Animation Desk
Amaziograph
Adobe Photoshop Sketch ( palm rejection ONLY, with older iPad Pro models.No pressure, no sensing/line variations. A great app with a lot of free brushes without having to monthly subscribe )
ArtRage
Art Studio Pro ( fully supports the Adonit Pixel and is just as great as Procreate on the iPad )
AutoDesk SketchBook
Colored Pencil
Comic Draw
Concepts
Interactive SketchBook
Medibang Paint
Procreate
(Adonit Pixel has been supported as an “unsupported stylus”, for some time now, but all Adonit Pixel stylus features still work as they should in Procreate, palm rejection, though, IS improved using special, non-body electrical conducting, lycra-based material drawing glove )
Tayasui Sketches/Sketches Pro ( Full support for the Adonit Pixel )
Tayasui Sketches School
( this new, free version works with this stylus, but without any palm rejection or pressure sensing, so you need to use a special, non-body electrical conducting drawing glove with the Sketches School version to lay your hand/palm down on the iPad’s screen while writing or drawing )
Vectornator
ZenBrush/Zen Brush 2
Compatible Adonit Pixel apps for Notes and Notes with drawing types of apps.
GoodNotes
Notability ( palm rejection noticeably improved using special, non-body electrical conducting, lycra-based material
drawing glove )
Note Shelf
Notes Writer ( palm rejection improved using special, non-electrical conducting, lycra-based material drawing glove )
QuickNotes X Pro ( palm rejection ONLY. No pressure sensing for light/dark or thin/thick lines )
uPad
Zoom Notes
PDF Pen
This stylus works with other non-compatible apps, too, but without any palm rejection and/or pressure features.
You can use this stylus with other apps but will not be able to lay your palm on the screen, while you write or draw, unless you use special, non-body electrical conducting, lycra-based material drawing glove that works by isolating your hand/palm and allow you to lay your hand/palm on the screen as you draw in these non-compatible Adonit stylus apps.
Something like this found on Amazon.
Many more makers of these types of gloves found on Amazon and in different hand sizes, as well!
Good Luck to You!
Do you mean a 3rd party pencil like Paper 53 or Wacom?
I have a Wacom and a Paper by 53 which work incredibly well on the iPad 5th Gen.
Yeah it’s from ESR its just called a digital stylus
Looking to buy a pencil to use with my iPad (not the Apple Pencil)
