iPad Accessories: A Quick Compatibility Guide for the Confused

Apple this week expanded the iPad lineup with a new 10th-generation entry-level iPad, a new keyboard, and possibly confusing compatibility with older accessories. The new iPad, for example, does not support the second-generation Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard but is supported by a new "Magic Keyboard Folio" and the first-generation Apple Pencil.

ipad Accessories
To help make it clear which accessories from Apple are supported by which iPad, we've created this guide below, organized by each iPad model currently offered in Apple's lineup and which accessories they support. The accessories listed below are considered "iPad Essentials" by Apple.


6th-generation iPad mini

The addition of the new 10th-generation iPad means the iPad lineup is the largest it's been in recent memory and potentially confusing for customers. Price-wise, the new ‌iPad‌ joins the lineup right before the iPad Air at a starting price of $449. The ninth-generation iPad remains in the lineup at $329.

Compared to the iPad Air, the new entry-level iPad does not feature a laminated display or an anti-reflective coating, lacks support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and is powered by the A14 Bionic chip. Pre-orders for the new entry-level iPad and the new iPad Pro, now featuring the M2 Apple silicon chip, began earlier this week and will begin arriving to customers on Wednesday, October 26.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

doobydoooby Avatar
8 months ago
I cannot get my head around them releasing a new iPad that is only compatible with the apple pencil from 2015, ignoring the one that has *only* been around since 2018. And this whole ridiculous business with the charging dongle for it, beyond belief. Who on earth is running the asylum?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
everlast3434 Avatar
8 months ago
The fact that this article is needed is just ridiculous (but thank you for writing it cause it is needed).
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McJobs Avatar
8 months ago
Amazing user experience.



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Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samifathi Avatar
8 months ago

The fact that this article is needed is just ridiculous (but thank you for writing it cause it is needed).
The fact it was so confusing to write is ridiculous as well. Hope people find it useful :)
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matt_and_187_like_this Avatar
8 months ago
Confusion is the name of the game these days at Apple.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
8 months ago
Not just the iPads, but I wonder if the whole Apple product line up is starting to become similar to how Apple was in the 90's before SJ came back and simplified it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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