Possible M4 iPad and Gen 2 Apple Pencil workaround

[applelex]

We know the gen 2 Apple Pencil is not listed as compatible with M4 iPad Pros. Most assume this is because Apple moved the magnets to accommodate the landscape camera location. I wonder if the pencil’s operation works, but not the on device charging. IF that is the case, TechMatte sells a charger for the Apple Pencil gen 2 for $26. Not ideal, but cheaper than buying the new pencil. However, if you also cannot pair the gen 2 pencil to the M4 Pro that would be a show stopper.

TechMatte Portable Electronic Device Cover, Compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Generation Only, Charging Case https://a.co/d/hmJTelx

 

[DribbleCastle]

I'd bet it won't pair without the agent connection. I'd just sell your pencil 2 and avoid spending money on a clunky $26 case. Use that money to buy the Pencil Pro. Still more expensive but at least you get some improvements and a better way to charge and hold your pencil. Only trouble is there are gonna be a lot of Pencil 2's on the used market soon, but i still think you'd be able to get $50.

I bought mine used for $60 a few years ago. Sits in my bag for about 95% of its life. More of a kids toys and novelty for me. Magic keyboard is the important accessory for me.

 

[papbot]

Most assume this is because Apple moved the magnets to accommodate the landscape camera location.

“Assume” is the operative word. Absolutely no one knows for sure outside of Apple. My guess is the previous pencil will work just fine. Even if the magnets on the iPad were shifted a bit you would just put your pencil on the shifted location. Apple is not going to tell you, just yet, that previous accessories work with their new device. Care to guess why? We will all know next week, not till then. I’m planning to use my previous pencil and Magic Keyboard until I see that they don’t work. Nothing, as yet, has indicated that they won’t.

 

[bscheffel]

I am hoping that Pencil 2 still works even if awkward (must like Apple saying first Magic Keyboard wasn't compatible with 2021 M1 iPad Pro when it worked just fined).
I rarely use my Apple Pencil and never store it on the iPad so even if I have charge a dead pencil for 5 minutes before using I am fine with that given how infrequently I use it.
If Apple Pencil 2 does not pair with M4 iPad Pro, I will likely buy the USB-C pencil. Given that I never store the Pencil on my iPad - the ability to plug in pencil with USB-C cable and leave charged is actually a benefit since I never store on iPad itself.

 

[papbot]

I am hoping that Pencil 2 still works even if awkward (must like Apple saying first Magic Keyboard wasn't compatible with 2021 M1 iPad Pro when it worked just fined).

Just as with that first Magic Keyboard which I’m still using with my M2 iPad Pro, I believe more of these accessories will work than won’t work with the new M4. Having said that, no one will know until next week. Even if the charging position has been moved that won’t affect the current pencils, you’ll just place the pencil over the new position. From the information currently available there is very little difference in the new pencil other than the haptic feedback features.

 

[papbot]

This image is from the Apple Store app for the new Pencil Pro. The charging position is exactly the same as before, as you can see in the image. So I can see no issue in using the previous pencils. Certain new features won’t be available but that’s true with any earlier versions of such devices.

 

[bscheffel]

This image is from the Apple Store app for the new Pencil Pro. The charging position is exactly the same as before, as you can see in the image. So I can see no issue in using the previous pencils. Certain new features won’t be available but that’s true with any earlier versions of such devices.

It likely aligns the same on the iPad but the charging/pairing magnets are in different location. The pencil 2 magnets appear to be in the center of the iPad horizontally but given that is now where the camera is on the new iPad the magnets need to be either to the left or right (or both) - similarly the USB-C Pencil and Pencil Pro have the magnets relocated to match the iPad.

Best case scenarios is that you can charge/pair the Pencil 2 on new iPad but it won't be centered on the iPad (fine with me since I don't store Pencil on iPad(.

Worst case scenario is that it has magnets on either side and won't charge/pair with just one. Or Apple could software block the Pencil 2.

 

[iStorm]

The USB-C pencil is also compatible and attaches to all older iPads that support the Apple Pencil 2, so the magnets weren't relocated for the USB-C pencil. That leads me to believe the magnets weren't relocated on the new iPads either (still the same distance apart). My guess is that iPadOS on the new iPads just won't see/detect the Apple Pencil 2 to pair it, even if it does/doesn't magnetically attach correctly.

As for the Magic Keyboard, it's probably more a matter if things still align in the same spot. The new iPads are physically a different size in all directions (though by a small amount). Will the camera cutout, magnets, and smart connecter pins still line up? I guess we'll find out next week. At least when it "wasn't compatible" the previous time this happened, the back was still the same; it was only "incompatible" because of the change in thickness causing a tight fit.

 

[papbot]

The new iPads are physically a different size in all directions (though by a small amount). Will the camera cutout, magnets, and smart connecter pins still line up?

The specs I looked at for 13 Pro show 1 millimeter longer (landscape or lateral side) and .6mm wider as the previous Pro. Will that 1 mm create an issue for the connecters? I kinda doubt it but again we will all know next week. The camera assembly may well be a smidge smaller with the elimination of the wide angled camera so that could possibly compensate for that 1mm as the physical position of the camera looks to be identical to the M2.

it was only "incompatible" because of the change in thickness causing a tight fit.

At least on mine it did not create a tight fit at all. I could tell no difference. So we’ll see how this plays out with the M4.

I fully expect the previous pencil to work with the M4, the big question will be the Magic Keyboard, I am hopeful there. But the main point is no one who currently has these accessories should be ordering the new ones unless they specifically want the very latest, and I understand why many would. Next week you’ll know whether you’ll have to.

 

[Davidalan]

At the link below, the average tec guy, he got 3 of the new smartfolios in for the new iPad Pro M4’s. When he tried his old iPad Pro on the case the camer bump did not fit and the rear of the case would not attach to the iPad Pro at all, therefore the magnets seem to be in a new location.

 

[papbot]

At the link below, the average tec guy, he got 3 of the new smartfolios in for the new iPad Pro M4’s. When he tried his old iPad Pro on the case the camer bump did not fit and the rear of the case would not attach to the iPad Pro at all, therefore the magnets seem to be in a new location.

That would definitely indicate that the magnet positions were altered. But it is possible that the actual M4 iPad would adhere ”well enough” (wishful thinking) to the previous case to be useable. But that is a strong indication that it won’t. Ah, well🤷‍♂️

 

[darthbane2k]

The problem will be initial pairing. It won’t work.

 

[applelex]

Unfortunately, this isn’t a work around. Indeed the pairing is the issue, you can’t pair
“It had already been established that Apple Pencil 2 doesn’t work with the latest iPad Pro. We confirmed that the stylus can’t pair with the tablet and is therefore completely unusable”

 

[transmaster]

What I am looking for is a charging case for the newest Apple Pencil. I don't really want to carry it in the wild don't care about off the iPad pairing I just want to keep it charged up. It pairs instantly when positioned on the iPad.