How Do I Know What Generation My Ipad Pro Is
Hey there! So, you’ve got this fancy iPad Pro, right? Awesome! These things are pretty sweet, aren’t they? Like a magic slate that can do, well, pretty much anything. But then you’re scrolling through settings, or maybe trying to find a cool new case online, and BAM! You hit a wall. “Which generation is this bad boy?” you think. Totally get it. It’s like having a really awesome car but not knowing if it’s a ’69 Mustang or a brand-new Tesla. So, let's spill the coffee beans and figure this out, shall we?
It can be a little confusing, I know. Apple doesn’t exactly hand out a giant, neon sign with your iPad Pro’s birth year. But don’t sweat it! We’re going to crack this mystery together, no detective hat required. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech guru, just without the weird lab coat. And definitely more coffee-stained fingers.
So, why does it even matter, you ask? Good question! Knowing your iPad Pro’s generation is super helpful. It tells you about its processor power, its screen technology (hello, ProMotion!), and what iOS features it can handle. Plus, if you’re looking to upgrade or sell, it’s kinda crucial info, right? Nobody wants to accidentally buy a case for a model that’s, like, five generations older. Awkward!
Alright, enough preamble. Let’s get down to business. You ready? Deep breaths. It’s not rocket science. Well, it could be, if your iPad Pro is powerful enough to design a rocket. But for finding the generation? Easy peasy.
The Super-Secret, Not-So-Secret Way: Settings!
This is your go-to. Your digital bread and butter. The most reliable way to find out what you’ve got. So, grab your iPad Pro, unlock it (fingerprint, face ID, secret handshake – whatever floats your boat), and let’s dive into the Settings app. It’s that little gray gear icon, you know the one. It’s practically staring at you, begging to be tapped.
Once you’re in Settings, we’re going to navigate to a specific spot. It’s like a treasure hunt, but the treasure is… information. Fun, right? Tap on General. This is where a lot of the good stuff lives. Think of it as the iPad Pro’s main control panel. It’s got updates, about info, and all that jazz.
Now, within General, you’re looking for something that says About. Yep, that’s it. Click on that. And voila! You should see a bunch of details about your iPad Pro. It’s like a little digital ID card for your device.
Among all that info, there are a few key things to look for. The most important one for our mission is the Model Name. This is where the magic happens! It’ll usually say something like “iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation)” or “iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation).” See? It practically tells you! How nice of them, right?
But wait, there’s more! Sometimes, it might just say “iPad Pro (12.9-inch)” or “iPad Pro (11-inch).” If you see that, don’t panic! This is where you might need to do a tiny bit of extra detective work. But we’re prepared. We’ve got our magnifying glass (metaphorically, of course. Unless you actually have one. Then, rock on.)
If the Model Name isn’t super explicit with the generation number, don’t worry. You’ll also see a Model Number. It’s usually a string of letters and numbers, like “AXXXX.” This little guy is your golden ticket. Think of it as your iPad Pro's social security number. Unique and important!
Decoding the Model Number: Your Secret Weapon
So, you’ve got your Model Number. Fantastic! Now, how do we turn that cryptic code into a generation number? Well, it’s not quite as dramatic as breaking the Enigma code, but it’s still pretty cool. You can simply search this Model Number online. Seriously, just type it into Google or your preferred search engine, followed by “iPad Pro generation.”
For example, if your Model Number is A2377, you’d search “A2377 iPad Pro generation.” The internet, bless its digital heart, will almost certainly tell you exactly which iPad Pro generation that corresponds to. It’s like asking Siri, but way less conversational and much more efficient for this specific task.
Alternatively, and this is a bit more direct if you’re feeling brave, you can go straight to Apple’s support website. They have a handy page dedicated to identifying iPad models. You just plug in that Model Number, and poof, it tells you everything you need to know. It’s almost too easy, isn’t it? Makes you wonder what else you can find out online.
Apple’s website is a treasure trove of information. They’ve got charts, diagrams, and enough technical jargon to make your head spin if you’re not careful. But for this, it’s perfectly straightforward. Just find that “Identify your iPad model” page, enter your number, and you’re golden.
Let’s Talk Specs: Visual Clues You Might Have Missed
Sometimes, you can even guess your generation based on the features you have. It’s like being a visual detective. Does your iPad Pro have that shiny MagSafe connector for charging accessories? Does it have those super-sleek, all-screen edges? These little details can be hints.
Think about it. When did Apple start adding those gorgeous, edge-to-edge displays? Or when did they introduce the LiDAR scanner, that fancy sensor that helps with augmented reality and low-light photos? These are all hallmarks of newer generations.
For instance, if you have a model with a physical home button, you’re probably not looking at the latest and greatest Pro. Those have been phased out for a while in favor of Face ID and gesture navigation. It’s like comparing a flip phone to a smartphone – both make calls, but one is a whole different beast, you know?
The cameras are another clue. Newer iPad Pros have more advanced camera systems. If your photos are looking incredibly sharp and you can zoom in without it looking like pixel soup, that’s a good sign you’ve got a more recent model. Especially if it has that prominent LiDAR scanner bump on the back. That’s usually a giveaway for the 2020 and later models.
And what about the Apple Pencil? If your iPad Pro supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which snaps magnetically to the side and charges wirelessly, that’s a pretty strong indicator you’ve got a model from 2018 or later. The first-gen Pencil just plugs into the Lightning port, which is… less elegant, let’s be honest.
Screen technology can also be a dead giveaway. If you’re rocking a Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion (that super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate), you’re definitely in the newer territory. Older models, while still great, didn’t have these bells and whistles. So, if scrolling feels like silk and animations are buttery smooth, you’re probably looking at a 4th gen (12.9-inch) or newer, or a 2nd gen (11-inch) or newer.
A Quick Cheat Sheet: What to Look For
Let’s just make this super simple. Because who has time for long-winded explanations when there are apps to download and videos to watch? Here’s a quick rundown:
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 5th gen, 2021): M1 chip, Thunderbolt/USB 4, Liquid Retina XDR display.
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 3rd gen, 2021): M1 chip, Thunderbolt/USB 4.
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 4th gen, 2020): A12Z Bionic chip, LiDAR scanner.
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 2nd gen, 2020): A12Z Bionic chip, LiDAR scanner.
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 1st gen, 2018): A12X Bionic chip, all-screen design, Face ID, supports 2nd gen Apple Pencil.
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 3rd gen, 2018): A12X Bionic chip, all-screen design, Face ID, supports 2nd gen Apple Pencil.
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2nd gen, 2017): A10X Fusion chip, Home button with Touch ID, supports 1st gen Apple Pencil.
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch, 2016): A9X chip, Home button with Touch ID, supports 1st gen Apple Pencil. (This one's a bit of an outlier in terms of size for the "Pro" lineup, but still a Pro!)
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1st gen, 2015): A9X chip, Home button with Touch ID, supports 1st gen Apple Pencil.
See? Just a quick scan. If your iPad Pro’s specs line up with one of these, you’ve found your generation! It’s like a match made in tech heaven.
Remember, the key is to be in Settings > General > About. That’s your digital breadcrumb trail. And if the Model Name isn’t crystal clear, your Model Number is your secret weapon. Just pop that into a search engine, and the internet will do the rest. It's practically magic. Or, you know, just really good algorithms.
So, there you have it! You’re now officially an iPad Pro generation expert. Go forth and conquer your tech knowledge! Or, you know, just finally buy that perfect case you’ve been eyeing. Whatever makes you happy, my friend. Enjoy your powerful, fantastic iPad Pro!