The Apple Pencil has always been an iPad-only accessory, but that’s changing with the latest version of Apple’s iPhone.
For years, the Apple Pencil was solely an iPad accessory. No other Apple products worked with it, including Macs or iPhones. But the situation is different now. With the introduction of the iPhone Duo, Apple is making big changes to the way the iPhone works, not only on the software level, but also on the hardware level.
This means you can now use an Apple Pencil with an iPhone. That is of course if you buy the fancy and expensive iPhone Duo. But even though the Duo works with the Apple Pencil, there are plenty of caveats. It is not compatible with all Apple Pencil models and will require specific software. Still, this is a major change for a device that was initially introduced with claims that a stylus was not a good input method.
How Apple Pencil works with iPhone Duo
Unfortunately, the Apple Pencil won’t work with the iPhone Duo at launch. Apple hasn’t provided many details yet, but we do know that Apple Pencil support will require an iOS update later this year. Since the iPhone Duo is expected to ship with iOS 27.1 in October, Pencil support could arrive with iOS 27.2 around November.
Even with the right software, you also need a specific Pencil model: only the Apple Pencil USB-C is compatible with the iPhone Duo. Those who own an Apple Pencil 2 or Apple Pencil Pro are out of luck and will have to spend an extra $79 for the compatible stylus if they want this feature. Apple hasn’t specified the reason for this, but it’s likely because the iPhone doesn’t have the magnets needed to attach and charge the Pencil. On compatible iPads, you can simply attach the Pencil to the device to magnetically charge it. For iPhone Duo, pairing and charging requires plugging in the Pencil with a USB-C cable.
The good news is that the Apple Pencil works with both screens of the iPhone Duo: the large screen when unfolded, as well as the outer screen. This makes it ideal for jotting something down quickly, as well as taking handwritten notes or longer drawings. Sure, carrying around a big Apple Pencil with your iPhone might not be practical, but at least the functionality is there for those who really want it.
And in case you’re wondering, other iPhones don’t support the Apple Pencil.
