Apple Releases New Firmware for USB-C Apple Pencil

Apple today released the first firmware update for the USB-C Apple Pencil that came out last week. The new firmware has a version number of 10M5164.

Apple Pencil USB C sliding cap feature
There is no word on what features, fixes, or updates might be included in the updated firmware, and Apple does not provide release notes for ‌Apple Pencil‌ software releases.


The USB-C ‌Apple Pencil‌ is almost identical in design to the ‌Apple Pencil‌ 2, but it is shorter and has a hidden USB-C port for charging and pairing. It is not able to wirelessly charge, and it lacks some of the features available with the more expensive ‌Apple Pencil‌ models such as pressure sensitivity.


Apple does not have an established procedure for updating ‌Apple Pencil‌ hardware, but in the case of the USB-C ‌Apple Pencil‌, connecting it to an iPad with a USB-C cable and powering on the ‌iPad‌ should be enough to spur the new software to download.

Related Forum: iPad Accessories

Top Rated Comments

miketcool Avatar
22 months ago
Does the update increase the accuracy of a positive pregnancy result?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mectojic Avatar
22 months ago
Remember the days when you did firmware updates to your wood pencils? It was called a pencil sharpener. Really improved the functionality!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
22 months ago
Why is it being labelled Apple Pencil Gen 3 “interesting”?

It is, after all, the 3rd Gen of Apple Pencil

Would have been interesting if it had been called “Malcolm”
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
22 months ago
The release notes mistakenly briefly referenced the upcoming Pencil Pro before they got taken down




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Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
22 months ago

The new firmware has a version number of 10M5164.
M5 confirmed!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
22 months ago

Why is it being labelled Apple Pencil Gen 3 “interesting”?

It is, after all, the 3rd Gen of Apple Pencil
It’s neither an upgrade from the 1 nor the 2 (both of which have pressure sensitivity, and the 2 has wireless charging), that’s why Apple didn’t call it the 3. It’s interesting that internally they nevertheless named it that.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)