How to tell if the Apple Pencil 1 is fake in a variety of ways

There are hundreds of fake Apple Pencil brands on the market, and at first glance it’s not always easy to identify fakes. In this article, I’ll explain how to spot a fake Apple Pencil (1st generation).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The best way to tell if the Apple Pencil 1 is original or fake is by entering its serial number into Apple’s "Check Coverage" website.
• This website will tell you if the Apple Pencil is registered in Apple’s system, which all real Apple Pencils are.
• You should also look for typos on the packaging and loose parts, and check if it connects with your iPad in the right way.

Thanks to its compatibility with most iPads released in the last few years, the original Apple Pencil is still the iPad stylus to get for most people. It features palm rejection, pressure, and tilt support for a class-leading writing and drawing experience. Unfortunately, the markets are inundated by fake Apple Pencils. They’ve become available through shady third-party websites as well as person-to-person resale sites.

This article provides some foolproof tips and tricks to help you spot fake Apple Pencil (1st generation).

Ways to Tell If Apple Pencil (1st generation’) is Fake

How to Tell If Apple Pencil 1 is Fake: Verify its Serial Number With Apple

There are a few ways to tell if your Apple Pencil is fake just by looking at it, but if you’re in doubt, try out the one surefire method: Ask Apple.

Apple has an online tool that lets users check if their products are still under warranty. This is great for checking real products, of course, but it also has the added benefit of telling you when you’re using a fake product.

To use the tool, you’ll just need to enter the Apple Pencil 1’ serial number and, if you find it there, it’s the real deal. If you don’t, you’ve spotted fake Apple Pencil 1. Here’s what to do:

1. Find your Apple Pencil 1’ serial number. Simply remove the cap from your Apple Pencil and find the serial number engraved on the Lightning connector. To zoom in on the serial number, you can use Magnifier on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Once you have the Apple Pencil 1 serial number, open a web browser and head over to Apple’s coverage checking tool.

3. Enter the serial number into the field at the top, then fill out the CAPTCHA and click Continue.

4. If the tool returns information for that serial number (especially a valid purchased date), the Apple Pencil 1 is real. But if you instead get an error message saying that the serial number is invalid, it’s definitely fake.

How to Know If Apple Pencil 1 is Real: Try to Pair it

Another foolproof way to tell if Apple Pencil 1 is fake is by doing something only authentic Apple Pencil 1 can do.

When you try pairing Apple Pencil 1st Generation to your iPad, a pairing button appears on the device’s screen. That can only happen with genuine Apple Pencil 1. It’s extremely unlikely fake Apple Pencil 1 could mimic that feature.

So, to spot fake Apple Pencil 1 using this trick, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the Apple Pencil 1 is charged.

2. Remove the cap and plug your Apple Pencil and a USB-C cable into the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. Plug the other end of the cable into your iPad.

3. If the Apple Pencil has not been paired to your iPad, wait for the pair button to appear. If it does, your Apple Pencil 1 is the real thing.

If you follow these steps but don’t see the pair button on your iPad’s screen, that’s a sign that it’s fake.

How to Spot Fake Apple Pencil 1: Packaging, Manufacturing, and More

Apple has pretty high production standards, and fake Apple Pencil 1 manufacturers rarely meet them. If you look carefully, you can find signs that it’s fake on the packaging and even the pencil itself.

Here are some errors to look for:

• Packaging: Just like the build quality of Apple products is high, so is the packaging quality. Check the box and manual for English mistakes. Fake products are usually full of English spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Build Quality:** **Apple is famous for the very high quality of its accessories. The tip is tight and sturdy, and the color of Apple Pencil 1 is clean and bright. If the Apple Pencil 1 seem a little low quality, the tip feels loose, or the color isn’t perfect, chances are that it’s fake.
• Try charging the pencil: You can charge a first generation Apple Pencil in two ways. First, remove the cap (magnetically attach it next to the iPad’s Home button not to lose it). Plug your Apple Pencil into the Lightning connector or Lightning port on your iPad, or charge with a USB Power Adapter by using the Lightning adaptor your Pencil came with. Does the pencil charge? If not, it’s guaranteed to be a fake.

How to tell if Apple Pencil 1 is fake: Price

Have you heard the saying, "if it’s too good to be true, it probably is"? Well, this definitely applies when shopping for Apple Pencil online. The retail price for Apple Pencil (1st generation) is $99. So, don’t fall for those amazing deals that offer the Apple Pencil (1st generation) at an unbelievably low price. More often than not, these deals are too good to be true, and the stylus being sold are just cheap knockoffs.

To lower the chances of encountering such scams, we recommend that you only buy from reputable sources. Stick to purchasing from Apple online store or trusted retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Yes, you still might find fishy deals there, but since these sites have good return policies, you will be able to receive a refund in case you buy a fake product.