The Apple Pencil works seamlessly with compatible iPads, but can iPhone users use the stylus too? The first Apple Pencil came out in 2015 as a companion accessory for the first iPad Pro. Even newer iPads, like the iPad (10th generation), continue to support the seven-year-old Apple Pencil (1st gen). The Cupertino-based tech giant released the successor to original Apple Pencil in 2018, bringing significant upgrades compared to its predecessor, including wireless charging, on-pencil controls and a magnetic body that attaches to the side of compatible iPads.
The Apple Pencil is a stylus that is specifically designed for certain iPads. While the older Apple Pencil works with one set of iPads, the second generation works with other models — it's all quite complicated, so making sure that someone gets the right Apple Pencil for their iPad is important. However, neither supports an iPhone, because iPads and iPhones use different display technologies. It doesn't matter which iPhone someone has, users cannot pair or use an Apple Pencil with an iPhone.
Apple Pencil Alternatives That Work With iPhones
While the Apple Pencils are exclusively for iPads, those who wish to use their iPhones with a stylus can turn to third-party accessories. The Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen, at $10.99, is a good affordable stylus for the iPhone. It is compatible with all touchscreen devices, including iPhones, iPads, and anything with a capacitive screen. Another popular option is the Adonit Pro 4 Stylus, priced at $27. The stylus comes with an aluminum body and a soft-touch precision tip. Reviewers have also had good things to say about the 2-in-1 Digiroot Universal Stylus, which costs only $10 and comes with two different styles of tip. It comes in four colors, too.
These are all basic styluses and might not be the best options for precision drawing. But, there are no extra steps for pairing the stylus with the phone, and none require a battery. Unfortunately, attempting to recreate the Apple Pencil experience with an iPhone-compatible stylus is still likely to fall short in some ways, though the alternatives should be good enough for basic use cases. All around, the reviews point to Adonit’s offerings as the best route to go.
The Samsung Note series popularized the use of a stylus with a large-screen smartphone. After the company pulled the plug on the Note, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brought back the S-Pen. Galaxy users can take notes, draw, navigate around their phones, and click selfies using the stylus. Even the Galaxy Z Fold 4 supports a version of Samsung's S-Pen, so the technology does exist. Nonetheless, Apple is unlikely to release an Apple Pencil that supports the iPhone soon, despite the clear interest from consumers.
Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen
Universal compatibility with nearly every device, the Mixoo Capacitive Stylus pen has a solid-feeling weighted aluminum barrel with a fiber-tipped head and silicon disc stylus. Thousands of positive reviews for its accuracy and ease of use, it comes in tons of colors and with replacement parts.
- Brand
- Mixoo
- Color
- Rose Gold, Black, Blue, Dark Violet, Purple & More
- Weight
- 60 Grams
Adonit Pro 4
The Adonit Pro 4 Luxury Capacitive Stylus Pen is made of lightweight aluminum with a copper twist cap and a convenient hook for attaching it to your pocket or bag. Precision disc at the tip is PET material and provides scratch resistance. Compatible with all devices. Price varies depending on color.
- Brand
- Adonit
- Color
- Black, Gold, Silver
- Weight
- 22 Grams
Digiroot Universal Stylus
The Digiroot Universal Stylus comes with replacement parts and a high-precision disc tip that causes no lags or jumps. Compatible with nearly all devices apart from Chromebook, remarkable2, HP Laptop and Dell computers. Non-slip silicone sleeve on pen cartridge makes for comfortable grip during long use.
- Brand
- Digiroot
- Weight
- .26 ounces