How to Identify Your iPad Model Before Buying a Case, Keyboard, or Apple Pencil
“iPad” is not a precise enough description for most accessories. Apple has sold several generations of the standard iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Two tablets can look similar while using different dimensions, camera cutouts, connectors, or Apple Pencil models. Before ordering a case or keyboard, identify the exact iPad you own and compare it with the accessory maker's compatibility list.
Find the model name and number in Settings
- Open Settings on the iPad.
- Go to General > About.
- Write down the Model Name, such as “iPad (9th generation).”
- Look at Model Number. If it begins with a letter rather than “A,” tap it. The display changes from the part number to the model number, such as A2602.
Apple explains this distinction in its iPad information guide. The name is useful for shopping, while the A-number is a reliable way to confirm the generation against Apple's iPad model identification list. Record both, especially if an accessory listing uses only one of them.
If you cannot open Settings
Check the back of the iPad for a small model number that starts with “A,” then look it up on Apple's model identification page. Lighting or a magnifier may help with the fine print. Some newer designs place identifying information differently, and a case can cover it, so remove the case first. If the number is not readable, the original box or purchase documentation may provide a part number or model description. Ask the seller for a photo of the About screen when buying a used iPad remotely.
A serial number is not the same as an A-number. Avoid posting your serial number publicly or sending it to an accessory seller when the model name and A-number are enough. Also check that a listing's photo matches its written description; sellers sometimes use a generic product image.
Understand what the model number tells you
Apple's model list groups several A-numbers under one iPad generation. They can distinguish Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions, or regional variations, without changing the name printed on an accessory package. For example, Apple lists A2602 as a Wi-Fi iPad (9th generation) and A2696 as a Wi-Fi iPad (10th generation). Those are different generations, not interchangeable names for the same tablet.
Screen size alone is insufficient. An 11-inch iPad Air and an 11-inch iPad Pro, for example, should not be assumed to fit the same keyboard or case merely because their screens have the same nominal diagonal. Bezels, thickness, camera placement, magnet placement, and accessory connectors may differ. Use the exact model or generation specified by the accessory manufacturer.
Check case fit before ordering
For a protective case, look for your exact model name and generation in the supported-device list. Compare the dimensions and the shape of the camera opening with your tablet. Check access to the charging port, speakers, buttons, and, on Cellular models, the SIM tray if applicable. A folio that attaches magnetically may need more than matching physical dimensions: the magnets and sleep/wake function also need to align with the specific iPad.
Be cautious with listings that say only “fits 10-inch iPad” or combine many generations without explaining how. A flexible sleeve may have a range of acceptable sizes, but a molded shell usually needs an exact fit. If you are buying a case for an iPad you have not received yet, wait for the seller to confirm the generation or A-number.
Check Apple Pencil compatibility separately
Apple Pencil compatibility is model-specific. The original Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Apple Pencil Pro do not work with every iPad. Charging and pairing methods also vary. For example, Apple's current Apple Pencil compatibility chart lists the original Apple Pencil for the iPad (9th generation). It lists both the original Pencil and USB-C Pencil for the iPad (10th generation), with a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter required to pair and charge the original Pencil on that model.
Identify the iPad first, then check that chart for the Pencil you are considering. Do not assume that a newer Pencil works with an older iPad, or that a Pencil included with a used tablet is the correct version. If handwriting is central to your purchase, include the compatible Pencil and any required adapter in your total cost.
Check keyboard compatibility and layout
Apple's keyboard names can be confusing. Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard Folio, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Smart Keyboard are different accessories with separate compatibility lists. Apple's iPad keyboard guide lists Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad (10th generation), while Smart Keyboard supports the iPad (9th generation). That is a useful example of why “iPad keyboard” is not a sufficient specification.
Third-party Bluetooth keyboards can be less restrictive because they do not rely on a model-specific Smart Connector or magnetic fit. However, a keyboard case still needs to physically fit the tablet. Confirm the keyboard's language layout, whether it needs separate charging, and whether it can hold the iPad at a comfortable angle. If you need a trackpad, check that feature explicitly rather than assuming every keyboard cover includes one.
Check ports and other buying details
Accessories that plug into the charging port must match the port on your model. The standard iPad changed from Lightning on the 9th generation to USB-C on the 10th generation, according to Apple's model identification list. Do not order a dock, charging cable, or hub from a photo alone. Check whether a USB-C accessory requires video output, power delivery, or another feature beyond the connector shape. A matching plug does not guarantee every function is supported.
When comparing used iPads, verify storage capacity, Wi-Fi versus Wi-Fi + Cellular, and the seller's condition description independently from the accessory questions. These details do not necessarily change case fit, but they affect what you are buying. Confirm that the device can be set up by a new owner and review the return policy before purchase. If the iPad is for reading rather than drawing or typing, our iPad versus Kindle guide covers how display and usage needs affect the choice.
A quick compatibility checklist
- Find the Model Name in Settings > General > About.
- Tap the part number to reveal the A-number, then confirm it on Apple's model list.
- For cases, compare the exact generation, dimensions, camera opening, and button and port cutouts.
- For Apple Pencil, consult Apple's compatibility chart and note any adapter requirement.
- For keyboards, verify the specific keyboard model and whether it uses a Smart Connector or Bluetooth.
- For docks and cables, check both the physical port and the features you need.
Keeping the exact model name and A-number in a note makes future accessory purchases simpler. If your goal is to use the tablet alongside a Mac rather than attach a keyboard, our guide to using an iPad as a second screen explains that setup and its compatibility requirements.