Does Apple Pencil Work with iPhone? (Answered)

Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Ernests Embutnieks

The Apple Pencil has been around for quite some time now. Some of you might be curious to learn whether the Apple Pencil is compatible with iPhones. 

Unfortunately, no! Apple Pencils don’t work with iPhones. The Apple Pencils are exclusively made for the iPad, and other than the iPad, I’ve never seen them work with a different device. Not even Android Tablets.

There are alternatives that you can pick from. A few universal styluses do work with iPhones. So let’s talk about them, and along with that, let’s also discuss more about Apple Pencil compatibility with iPhone.  

Apple Pencil Compatibility with iPhones

The first Apple Pencil was originally designed for the iPad Pro, and later on, it became compatible with classic iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini models. 

Then came the Apple Pencil 2, which showed up a bit later and was a big improvement—it wrote a bit smoother and attached to the iPad magnetically. Both of these cool pencils were made just for iPads and not for iPhones.

On the other hand, if you take a look at Samsung’s S-Pen, it gets along with lots of Samsung phones and tablets.

However, due to the demand, there are plans for Apple to create an Apple Pencil that’s also compatible with iPhones. For now, these are only rumors, and there is no official statement from Apple.

Check the Full List of iPads that are Compatible with Apple Pencil

Why Doesn’t the Apple Pencil Work With the iPhone?

Now, you might wonder why Apple Pencils don’t hang out with iPhones. Well, here’s the answer: iPads and iPhones have different types of screens. These are distinct products with entirely different functionalities. Apple is renowned for its ability to differentiate its products significantly.

Each of their products serves a unique purpose, and features are not added arbitrarily but with thoughtful intention.

The Apple Pencils were designed to work on iPad screens, so they don’t really jive with iPhones. Currently, the Apple Pencil cannot be used on the iPhone because its touchscreen is made differently than the iPad’s.

But hey, who knows what the future holds? Maybe there’ll be an Apple Pencil 3 that decides to join the iPhone party. But I highly doubt that. Since I don’t see a real use case for iPhones to work with Apple Pencil other than – that’s a nice thing to have.

Apple Pencil Alternatives For iPhone

The Apple Pencil isn’t compatible with iPhones, but other styluses can be used with your iPhone.

So, you can pick any of these alternatives, and they will work with your iPhone. Let’s take a deeper look into these Styluses.

Adonit Pro 4

👌 Features

1. Material: Aluminum and Copper
2. Compatible Devices: Apple, All capacitive touchscreen devices, tablets, and Android
3. Item Dimensions: 5.51 x 0.35 x 5.51 inches
4. Are Batteries Included: No
5. Weight:0.04 lbs (22g)

If you’re after a decent stylus with solid features, the first reliable alternative to the Apple Pencil is the Adonit Pro 4.

There is a lot to like about the Adonit Pro 4, among other non-Bluetooth styluses. It’s perfect for everyday activities like scrolling through content and jotting down notes. 

The design is elegant, like a fountain pen, with a classy copper lid and top. Very stylish, I’d say.

However, its distinctive ‘soft touch precision disc’ tip feels awkward, needing constant adjustments. I have tested it and uncovered parallax problems, causing slight alignment issues between the nib and line. However, it’s a small problem for everyday activities.

Although it performed relatively well in Notes on the iPhone, in drawing, it lacked the precision and responsiveness required for intricate drawing tasks.

Overall, the Adonit Pro 4 seems better for basic tasks than advanced note-taking or sketching.

👍 Pros

1. Sophisticated design
2. Comfortable weight
3. Good for note-taking
4. Bluetooth and battery-free

👎 Cons

1. Not good for drawing
2. Parallex problem

Moko Active Stylus

👌 Features

1. Material: Aluminum Alloy, Rubber, Metal
2. Compatible Devices: all capacitive touchscreen Apple devices, tablets, and Android
3. Item Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.4 x 0.41 inches
4. Are Batteries Included: No
5. Weight: 0.05 lbs (22g)

Next is Moko’s active stylus. The Moko Stylus brings an Apple Pencil-like experience. Easy to pair and use, it’s perfect for daily tasks. Let’s see what it has for its features. 

First, the design fully resembles the Apple Pencil; it has a cylindrical white finish, a flat side, and a micro-USB charging port. A clickable button serves as an on/off switch, though its blue light indicator is visually distracting. 

If we talk about its performance, The stylus tip is said to be screen-friendly, but a screen protector is recommended. Notably, it lacks pressure sensitivity, tilt/angle sensors, and double-tap gestures. 

If drawing is your aim, the Moko Stylus fails to provide good performance. The missing elements make it feel incomplete for artistic pursuits. 

Overall, while suitable for general use, professionals might seek more advanced options. I’m talking about the true artists who might find it a bit limited compared to higher-end options.

👍 Pros

1. Sleek Aesthetic
2. Ease of Pairing
3. Replaceable Tip
4. Affordability

👎 Cons

1. Lack of Pressure Sensitivity
2. Less Weighted Feel

Digiroot Universal Stylus

👌 Features

1. Material: Plastic, Rubber
2. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and Android
3. Item Dimensions: 5.7 x 2.5 x 0.4  inches
4. Are Batteries Included: No
5. Weight: 0.001 lbs (0.64)  Grams

The DigiRoot stylus is the third alternative to the Apple Pencil. It’s lightweight and responsive for various tasks. It’s good for drawing and writing on apps, but it isn’t as good as the Apple Pencil. 

It’s still good for getting your job done. Let’s see why it’s on our list. 

At first glance, the stylus may seem to have a common stylus design. It has a sturdy and dependable appearance. The cap and thick tip screw on and off with ease and security. 

The package includes three extra thick tips and six disk tips, along with the two already attached to the stylus. This ensures that if a tip breaks or wears out, you can easily replace it without buying a new stylus. 

For performance, the Digiroot stylus is lauded for its user-friendly design and responsiveness. It excels in accuracy for drawing and writing, though some seek more precision. For drawing, the Digi Root Stylus excels. It offers a crucial element, ensuring a satisfying artistic experience.

Overall, it’s a reliable option for those seeking a capable and adaptable stylus. It impresses across various uses, solving the problem at hand.

👍 Pros

1. Lightweight and Comfortable
2. Accurate and Responsive
3. Included Extra Tips and Parts
4. Compatibility with Various Devices

👎 Cons

1. Limited Precision
2. Lack of Advanced Features

GOOJODOQ 11th Gen Stylus Pen

👌 Features

1. Material: Aluminum
2. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and Android
3. Item Dimensions: 8.2 x 2.4 x 0.8 inches
4. Are Batteries Included: Yes
5. Weight: 0.14 lbs (67 g)

The Goojodoq stylus is also considered a good alternative to the Apple pencil. It boasts a sleek design and iPhone compatibility. It’s a valuable tool for writers and everyday tasks.

Speaking about design Goojodoq pays attention to detail in design. It really resembles the Apple Pencil 2. This stylus boasts quality and allure, providing a premium feel at a lower cost.

Also, in the box, you get two replacement nibs. That means if your first one gets damaged, you can replace it with the other one. There’s no need to buy another stylus.

Regarding performance, this stylus works seamlessly with the iPhone for writing. It supports tilt sensitivity and palm rejection, though it’s not very pressure-sensitive. 

Charging via wireless mode aligns with compatible models, and a USB-C charger adapter is included for wired charging. 

There is only one drawback—the manual power button, which should be automated. The manual power button should ideally be swapped out for an automatic one.

Overall, it’s a valuable investment for writing and non-pressure drawing tasks because its pressure sensitivity doesn’t meet artists’ needs.

👍 Pros

1. Sleek Design
2. Replacement Nibs
3. Tilt Sensitivity and Palm Rejection
4. Valueable for Writing Tasks

👎 Cons

1. Lack of Pressure Sensitivity
2. Not Ideal for Complex Artwork

Adonit Mark

👌 Features

1. Material: Aluminum
2. Compatible Devices: All touch screen
3. Item Dimensions:  5.5 x 0.38 x 0.38  inches
4. Batteries Included: No
5. Weight: ‎0.05 lbs (22.6 g) 

Last on my list is again from Adonit. This stylus is a bit simpler, but it’s still quite useful option. My tests show that it’s especially good for basic note-taking and simple sketches.

In terms of design, it has a triangular aluminum body that feels solid. Holding it is comfortable, like holding a regular pencil, and it writes smoothly on an iPhone screen, offering a good balance of resistance.

However, it’s worth noting that the tips on this stylus can’t be replaced. If a tip gets damaged, you’ll have to buy a whole new stylus.

When used for note-taking and scrolling, it works really well and fits seamlessly into your tasks. But for detailed drawing, it struggles to capture intricate lines. It’s good for some things but lacks the precision needed for intricate art.

All in all, the Adonit Mark stylus is a great choice if you’re focused on note-taking and basic sketches, but it might not be the best for more detailed and complex artistic work.

👍 Pros

1. Simple to use.
2. Offers seamless performance with minimal lag
3. Features a small, precise tip for accuracy
4. Automatically rejects palm touch for smooth operation

👎 Cons

1. Limited compatibility with specific devices

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Now, let’s wrap everything up quickly. First, the Apple Pencil is exclusively designed for iPads and currently doesn’t work with iPhones due to differences in screen technology. However, I’ve got some pretty great third-party stylus options for iPhones, which we have discussed. 

These alternatives, like the Adonit Pro 4, Moko Active Stylus, Digiroot Universal Stylus, GOOJODOQ 11th Gen Stylus Pen, and Adonit Mark, offer various features for tasks such as note-taking, drawing, navigation, and more. 

But keep in mind that each stylus comes with its own set of features and limitations, so it’s important to consider your specific needs before making a choice. 

Also, keep in mind that these alternatives might not offer the same level of precision and functionality as the Apple Pencil on iPad, so it’s better to tame your expectations. 

Related:

Best Tablets For Note-Taking