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Apple MWML3AM/A USB-C to Pencil (1st Gen) Adapter — main product image
Apple

Apple MWML3AM/A USB-C to Pencil (1st Gen) Adapter

★★★★★4.7 (265 reviews)
USB-C

Apple's compact USB-C adapter lets you pair and charge your 1st-gen Apple Pencil with USB-C iPads.

$9.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Apple MWML3AM/A USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter exists to solve a specific compatibility gap. When Apple transitioned the iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16) to USB-C, it left owners of the 1st-generation Apple Pencil — which was designed to pair and charge via a Lightning connector — without a direct way to use their existing stylus. This small adapter bridges that gap, providing a female Lightning port on one end for the Pencil and a female USB-C port on the other for the iPad's charging cable. Once connected, the iPad recognizes the Pencil for pairing, and the adapter also passes through charging current so the Pencil can recharge.

In use, the workflow is straightforward: plug the Apple Pencil's Lightning connector into the adapter, connect a USB-C cable from the iPad to the adapter's other end, and pairing or charging begins automatically. It is an official Apple accessory, so compatibility and firmware handshakes are handled without issue. The adapter is deliberately minimal — a small white cylinder weighing almost nothing — which makes it portable but also easy to misplace if not stored deliberately. For anyone who already owns a 1st-gen Apple Pencil and has upgraded to a USB-C iPad, this adapter is the most cost-effective path to continued Pencil use without purchasing a new stylus.

Key Features

The USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is required to pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation) with iPad (A16) and iPad (10th generation).

Your Apple Pencil plugs into one end of the adapter and the USB-C Charge Cable from your iPad plugs into the other

Specifications

Brand
Apple
Model
MWML3AM/A
Connector Type
USB-C
Compatibility
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
Compatible iPads
iPad (A16), iPad (10th generation)
Color
White
Function
Pairing and Charging

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Enables continued use of 1st-gen Apple Pencil with newer USB-C iPads rather than requiring a new Pencil purchase
  • Handles both pairing and charging through a single small adapter
  • Official Apple product ensures reliable connectivity and firmware compatibility
  • Extremely compact and lightweight, easy to store in a pencil case or bag pocket

👎 Cons

  • Only solves compatibility for the 1st-gen Apple Pencil — no use with other Pencil models or devices
  • Requires an additional USB-C cable to function, adding a tethered charging step
  • Small size makes it easy to misplace
  • Does not restore the original Lightning-port direct-plug charging convenience of the 1st-gen Pencil
  • A single-purpose accessory with no other functionality

Frequently Asked Questions

The adapter is required for the iPad (A16) and iPad (10th generation), which have USB-C ports instead of the Lightning connector the 1st-gen Pencil was originally designed for.
You plug your Apple Pencil into one end of the adapter and connect your iPad's USB-C charge cable to the other end. The iPad will then recognize and pair with the Pencil.
Yes. The adapter supports both pairing and charging the Apple Pencil (1st generation) via the USB-C cable connection.
No. This adapter is designed exclusively for the Apple Pencil (1st generation). The 2nd-gen Pencil and Pencil Pro pair and charge magnetically and do not use this adapter.
No. The adapter itself is the only item included. You use the USB-C charge cable that came with your iPad.

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